For the second year, the Darien Police Department, in cooperation with The Depot, the town’s teen center, has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the State of Connecticut, Department of Policy and Management.
The Office of Policy and Management received numerous applications under the police and youth program. Darien was one of the towns selected for the funding.
The grant, titled “Cops and Kids Adventure” program, will involve several Darien police officers working with approximately 20 youths from the ages of 11 to 17. The grant will allow the officers and youths to collaborate on several adventure trip activities, one community outreach project, and coordinate an awards dinner toward the end of the grant period.
The adventure trips, transportation, community project expenses, and picnic will be paid for through the grant funds. The adventure trips will focus on team building, leadership skills and instill confidence, trust and reliance amongst their peers. These team building activities are intended to create working bonds between the officers and youths.
The intent of this program is to create an environment for police officers to see kids as kids, and the kids can see police officers as everyday people with families, interests, and hobbies.
Applications for the program will be available at the Depot Youth Center and website, dariendepot.org or on the Darien Police Department website, darienpolice.org.
The application deadline is Sept. 10 and forms should be returned to the Depot Youth Center, PO Box 2381, Darien, CT 06820. Fax: 203-662-5368.
More info: Janice Marzano at The Depot, 655-0812 or Detective Mark Cappelli at the Darien Police Department, 662-5368.
