To break the cycle of violence, despair, and unhealthy lifestyles that are often passed down from generation to generation, AFY has developed an effective therapeutic approach (the Redirectional Method) to combat violence, drugs, crime, teen pregnancy, family dysfunction, learning disabilities, and anti-social behavior among the very high-risk youth, both in and outside of the classroom. "AFY has
been very instrumental in reducing the temptation for kids to become involved in gangs and it has also been very helpful to the (Department of Education) and the schools in assisting or preventing gang and youth violence." Attorney Ed Kubo)
AFY reaches 200 to 300 high-risk youth per week, providing a variety of protective factors that may be lacking in the lives of troubled youth. The Hawaii Psychological Association (HPA) recognized AFY in November 2006, awarding the agency with the Pookela Award for excellence in promoting educational achievement and offering a prescription of hope for significantly reducing poverty and destructive behaviors among youth gang members. To date, AFY has successfully changed the attitudes and behaviors of over 30 entire gangs, helping most members integrate into the social mainstream as productive members of the community. Most members of these groups have progressed from angry, violent, and anti-social people to individuals who are participatory, enterprising, and law-abiding. They've been very successful in redirecting kids." (Catherine Payne, principal of Farrington High School)
