Felony prevention program launches next week

Charles Price has come a long way.

Even though he grew up in a loving home, environmental influences led him to a life of crime. At age 12, the St. Petersburg native was arrested for assault and battery. By age 15, he participated in an armed robbery. 

Price’s later teenage years led to various drug charges. At age 24, he went to prison for the sale and possession of crack cocaine. Price was “stuck in” the system from 1987 to 2004. 

A religious experience showed him a different path. More so, an opportunity to give back and set a positive example. 

Charles Price

This led Price to create the Young Influencer Felony Prevention Program to help people, between the ages of 12 and 20, avoid prison sentences. The initiative runs from March to November. 

It consists of four different projects, he explained. Participants will meet at the St. Petersburg-based Thomas “Jet” Jackson Recreation Center every Wednesday evening. 

While the initiative will serve youth who have already been in trouble, Price hopes to work with individuals who have not had encounters with the law yet. 

The program, overseen by Price’s Felons Ain’t Failures nonprofit organization, will be partially funded by grants from the St. Petersburg Police Department, United Way Suncoast and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. 

Every first Wednesday will be focused on mental health. Love and Empathy Counseling, he added, will oversee group sessions with the children. Representatives will discuss topics such as emotional intelligence and positive behavioral pathways. 

The second meeting of the month will be dedicated to physical health. Attendees will be able to work out with professional instructors. Additionally, they will learn how to select and clean fruit to make smoothies, Price explained. This will give them a more nutritious snack alternative.

He said that the young people will work on a Youth Influencers podcast every third Wednesday. They will learn how to operate light systems and cameras. And how to develop content. 

Price added that the students will speak on peer pressure, decision making and goal setting. 

“Storytelling is how you educate, inspire, redirect, motivate and how you advise,” he explained. “Once we teach them about these topics, they will create a conversation piece and put it out in a digital space. That will put them in a position to use their own stories and help inspire other kids to make the right decisions.” 

The fourth Wednesday of every month will be dedicated to professional readiness. This will allow the young people to learn how to prepare and dress for interviews. Additionally, they will be educated about the importance of punctuality and making eye contact. 

“We developed those four projects because, from our research, those were areas that led to felonies,” Price said. “We’re providing a safe space for kids to be able to discuss triggers. We will be able to educate them on how to emotionally respond to stuff.” 

To learn more about the program, visit this link.