country programs
Jessica Gabriele Ricardo
May 2008 - This month our Youth Spotlight shines on Jessica Gabriele Ricardo of the JCC program in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Jessica has been an active student leader in her JCC program (Brazil's adaptation of the YCW model). On one occasion, for example, members of a dangerous gang located near her school entered school property at night and left graffiti on walls where students had placed positive crime prevention messages. The gang, known to police for crimes such as drug dealing and bank robberies, were feared in the community. But as a student leader, Jessica organized her fellow students to approach residents in the gang's home territory. Today gang members no longer enter her school uninvited and acts of graffiti and other crimes have been reduced to a minimum.
Jessica is a young woman with the courage to speak for the innocent and defenseless and to stand up for what is right in her school and community. She sends the message that crime, violence, and drug use will not be tolerated. Her attitude embodies Youth Crime Watch's "Watch Out! Help Out!" philosophy.
We agree with Jessica's advisor, Soldier Jorge; her school principal, Rinaldo Aparecido Espadoto; Commander of the Military Police, Captain Walter Oliveira and Commander of the 9th Battalion of the Military Police of the State of Sao Paulo that the world needs "more young folks like Jessica who are willing to stand for responsible actions."
We commend her on the path she has chosen and wish her the best of luck in the future.
Thank you, Jessica!
