Through funding from the Crime Prevention Initiative through the Office of Justice Programs Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento had the fortunate opportunity to implement the Future Fisherman Foundation’s Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs program. The Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs (HOFND) Curricula teaches ethical angles and life skills designed to help youth make positive life decisions such as choosing to remain drug free. Another vital component to HOFND is allowing youth to interact directly with law enforcement officers, which further fosters a more positive perception of law enforcement. Similarly, officers recognize the importance of positive hobbies like fishing that helps occupy the time of youth and provides escape from various societal problems.
As part of the curriculum and with officers on hand, members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento took a trip to Rancho Cordova’s Mather Lake on May 23rd for their first fishing excursion. Although being there for over two hours without a bite, the nine teenaged boys enjoyed the opportunity to bond with Jasper Begay of the California Highway Patrol along with staff members and volunteer board member and fishing enthusiast John Lenk.
While they thought their two hour efforts were pointless, as they prepared to pack up and call it a day, one young man named Jonathan caught a small rainbow trout. Regardless of the size, the mere thought of catching something sparked excitement among the young fishermen. “It didn’t matter the size, it was the fact I caught something,” said Jonathan.
Aside from their fishing excursion, members are exposed to various techniques and forms of fishing during the program. With all the excitement generated with the Hooked on Fishing Not On Drugs program many youth who would never considered learning how to fish participated in the program. Club members where selected by the staff to go on a fishing trip to Buffalo, New York over the summer. They participated in a bass fishing excursion and fished with some of the most highly recognized bass fisherman in the United States today. We would like to thank all those who made this wonderful and exciting program possible for our Club members: the Office of Crime Prevention Initiative through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Program, U.S. Department of Justice, Future Fishermen Foundation and First Pic, Inc.
To support this program or to volunteer, contact us at 916.392.1350.
