Description
Latin America is home to some of the highest homicide rates in the world. Youth gangs are often blamed for high rates of violence in the region. The city of Cali, Colombia has addressed violence by implementing the multifaceted gang-intervention program, Tratamiento Integral de Pandillas-Jóvenes sin Fronteras (TIP-JSF), in the most violent and marginalized neighborhoods of the city. TIP-JSF leverages mentors to connect with youth and promote behavior change. The current study investigates the program’s usage of mentors, and their influence on violent and other delinquent behaviors in program participants. Moreover, the study investigates how components of the mentor-mentee relationship influence behavior change. Qualitative data were collected in the form of semi-structured interviews and field notes. The researcher interviewed youth participants, community-based workers, and program coordinators. In addition, field notes recorded the researcher’s observations, discussions, and reflections from their experiences as an intern for TIP-JSF. Initial coding and focused coding methods were implemented to analyze field notes and interview transcripts. This study concluded that youth mentors facilitate positive behavior change in youth gang members through addressing three primary needs: emotional connection, identity and purpose, and tools to make change. Through the mentor-mentee relationship, youth developed emotional connection, reimagined perceptions of identity and purpose, and received guidance and resources that helped them realize change.
