Sonoman to head SR gang agency

Jason Carter an at-risk child himself, now heads controversial Santa Rosa agency.|

Santa Rosa has tabbed a Sonoman to head up the city’s Violence Prevention Partnership – the agency formed to prevent gang activity.

Jason Carter, who moved to Sonoma in December, started his duties Thursday.

The Santa Rosa native has been the program director for the Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County. While there, he launched the Youth Development Program in 2012 that prepared at-risk youth with the skills to earn their high school diploma, learn workforce development, and offer college and career mentoring for youth ages 16 to 24 who dropped out of school.

The program has 50 graduates who completed high school, he said. “And 98 percent went into college and career paths. One-hundred percent were socio-economically disadvantaged, 82 percent were Latinos and 54 percent had young children themselves.”

Carter knows a lot about at-risk youth – he was one himself.

“I was born into poverty,” he said. “I dropped out of high school, I dropped out of college. I became an addict and really lost my way.”

He said it wasn’t until his son was born that he found a purpose in life.

“I knew I had to do something,” he said, “so I dedicated myself to at-risk youth.”

The Violence Prevention Partnership, formerly the Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force, is a collaborative effort involving private citizens, government, local community-based organizations, schools, parents, the faith community and local law enforcement.

“The city and county are taking a holistic approach,” he said. “This is a team effort using a multi-sector approach through collaboration and partnership to impact families on multiple levels.”

He said his new position will allow him the opportunity to make more of an impact with a focus on the entire family structure.

Santa Rosa City Manager Sean McGlynn, in a press release, said, “Jason brings to the City a unique combination of strong program management skills and a passion for serving his community. He will be a great addition to the leadership team here in Santa Rosa.”

Carter will head up a five-person team at the agency.

“Here, I’ll be able to impact policy change for at-risk youth,” he said. “I’m working for the youth I used to be.”

Carter is engaged to Betzy Chavez and is running for the Area 1 seat on the Sonoma County Board of Education.

Email Bill at bill.hoban@sonomanews.com.

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