A Culturally Appropriate Asset-based Juvenile Crime Prevention Pilot: “Wrap and Map”

Abstract

The City of Memphis has some of the highest crime and violence rates in the United States. Unfortunately, a portion of these crimes is attributed to our youth population. Crime rates and violence committed by or against youth and/or juveniles is steadily on the rise with the numbers climbing each year. Studies have shown that more than half of violent crimes committed in Memphis are committed by youth under twenty-four years of age (Operation Safe Community). Many children in Memphis live in poverty; this increases the risk factor for youth violence. Most of the juveniles arrested and jailed for crime and violence are minorities, an overwhelming number of these being African American. One intervention implemented by the City of Memphis, the “Wrap and Map” approach, integrated intervention and prevention programs consisting of empowerment and culture based wraparound and asset mapping techniques to support at risk youth. The purpose of this article is to explore and describe this program. This article will explore the demand for this program, its purpose and history, and lessons learned.