Impact – Project Blue

90% of families who participate in Project Blue programs say that they NOW know & trust one or more police officers.

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Impact

"Before Project Blue, I was thinking wow we as a people should be able to trust the law but when we call them they seem not to care. It was hurtful. But Project Blue changed that, not only for the adults but for our kids as well, giving them a chance to learn and grow and trust, so thank you, Project Blue!"

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Impact

"Just the compassion and community awareness that the officers of Project Blue show is something that has really given me and our children a great experience with the police department that we never had before."

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Impact

"Growing up in Watts as a kid, we were always told police were not to be trusted. But I'm thankful for this program because not only do I feel safe but I'm able to have conversations with them about things on the practice field and being able to work together at events! BUT I ALSO LOVE THAT MY SON can see first hand that police officers CAN BE TRUSTED AND THEY ARE FOR US AND NOT AGAINST US. THANK YOU!"

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Impact

"I now know multiple police officers that I trust. The officers I speak of have helped me with transportation and in other areas."

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Impact

"When I was a young man trying to figure out my life, officers from a Project Blue program took me in with open arms and helped me figure out life, so I ended up coaching and giving back to the community."

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Impact

"I am very thankful to these men and women in uniform, not only serving and protecting the public but also volunteering to coach these young boys and girls in the community and keeping them safe in a positive environment. It takes a whole heart to volunteer and not everyone has that gold heart to do so. My respects to LAPD officers who are part of this wonderful program."

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Impact

"Police officers are our coaches and we respect them and they respect us."

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Impact

"Police are not always the bad guys. They too are normal people with or without the uniform."

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"They have helped having conversations with my teen daughter and I know I could go to them for advice."

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Impact

"Before, we had a very negative opinion on the police in our community. It has been great to actually meet them and see how much they care about the children’s wellbeing."

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Impact

"They make our kids happy and special when they see someone like a police officer work with them."

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Impact

"I had an opportunity to sit at a roundtable discussion with a CSP Officer and hear his efforts to model the proper code of conduct for his fellow officers to lead by example. This helped me to better understand the officers’ desire for better relations between the LAPD and the community and to see police officers in a better way."

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Impact

"All Officers have very positive attitudes towards the kids and parents. Great program!"

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Impact

"They are always there to support our children and protect their environment when practicing."

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Impact

"I like the way they interact with the kids and support them. You can tell that they really love these kids."

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Impact

"It’s been a great experience having our children part of this program. The officers have made such a big impact in all 5 of our children’s lives by showing them that just because you live in the hood does not mean you have to be part of the streets. Our family before coming to Los Angeles lived in a decent neighborhood with hardly any type of crime other than neighbors arguing about cutting their lawns on a Tuesday. Both my husband and I lost our jobs, lost our homes and unfortunately were put into a situation we were struggling to get out of. I never in my life have been so scared to walk outside until now. Crime was and is still horrible but after meeting our officers in Project Blue and them getting to know our boys and our family I was so surprised and happy they gave so much of their time to not only encourage our boys to stay out of the streets and get into football but they really did come to our home and just talk to us offer us help! They also helped with providing the boys their Christmas list gifts because my husband and I were bouncing jobs back and forth and could not buy them things. I am overall pleased with all the officers who give their time to help the youth and really they do try. I see it all the time. Just overall thank you, thank you for all that the program does."

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Impact

"I believe that because of this program and the police officers and coaches and everyone who volunteers I was able to see a change in my boys attitude and goals."

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Impact

"I began to form relationships with the police officers in my community through a Project Blue program. They touched base with families to see if there was anything needed and reminded my son to stay on the right path and made me feel like I have back up. Back up in the sense where my kids have a friend on the force, also to not fear them. We have blood family and street family. They are my street family."

5 Pillars

All of our programs are committed to five pillars of success:

Academics
Project Blue programs require all kids to meet a mandatory academic standard. Kids who do not meet this standard will participate in academic enrichment programming (which is also available to kids who exceed the mandatory standard).

Project Blue offers free year-round tutoring to all students who participate in Project Blue programs. Tutoring occurs primarily by zoom and is provided by certified educators.

The goal of Project Blue tutoring is to increase fundamental academic skills and we measure our progress by tracking the impact of tutoring on reading and math grade levels.

Anybody interested in Project Blue tutoring can contact our Academic Pillar Coordinator Esheonn Conner esheonnr@gmail.com

Health & Wellness
Project Blue promotes kids’ physical and mental health through education, programming, and other activities. Kids in Project Blue programs get physically healthier and develop greater resilience.

Life Skills
Project Blue kids develop constructive interpersonal skills, professional etiquette and other capabilities that help them function effectively in life. Project Blue kids acquire the skills needed to become successful future adults and productive citizens in society.

Service
Project Blue kids take part in regular service projects within their communities in order to develop pride in their community and a sense of the importance of contributing to their community thriving.

Support & Safety
Project Blue programs will ensure that each child has a parent or guardian meaningfully involved with that child’s participation, and provide extra mentoring for those in need. One or more police officers will lead or participate in each Project Blue program. Officers involved with programs engage with kids and parents in order to foster safety, community, and trust.

Meet Kristin

Kristin MacDermott, LMFT, is an expert in resilience. She has created resilience-training programs for Navy SEALS, the LAPD, inner city children, hospitals, and universities and … Project Blue! Our after-school programs use her clinically-proven resources to facilitate ongoing conversations with kids about building self-awareness, developing self-esteem, and using obstacles to grow and thrive.