CHARACTERS Program Gets Federal Grant

The federal government has awarded a Louisville program$209,000 to help prevent at-risk young people from getting involved with gangs.The money comes in the form of a grant that will fund the West Chestnut Street CHARACTERS program for two years.The program accepts 12 youngsters at a time for eight to ten week cycles of community service and life skills education.All of the participants are recommended by court officials.  Louisville Director of Youth Detention Services Clarence Williams says they typically come from one particular section of west Louisville.“California is the main contributor to the youth detention center," says Williams. "The majority of the kids, over 60% of the kids in the detention center are from the California neighborhood.”The money was awarded today Tuesday by U.S. Attorney David Huber.