Manteca has a new weapon in the war on gangs.

It’s called APANTLI or bridge.

What it does is help bridge the gap between at-risk youth and their families and various school and social services that are available to help kids succeed and therefore avoid gangs and drugs.

The Stockton-based organization already started working in Manteca with funding from the Police Chief’s Foundation. The organization was started in 2009 by former San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Gutierrez.

A presentation on how the program works is being made at Tuesday’s 7 p.m. City Council meeting. Police Chief Dave Bricker is recommending that the council endorse the program.

The program:

• deals with the youth as an individual and as part of a family and deals with the family and other caretakers as part of a neighborhood and community.

• ensures collaboration, shared responsibility, and case management to minimize the negative aspects of bureaucratic boundaries.

• is staffed by stakeholders who believe in what they are doing and who have the time, training, skills and institutional and collegial support necessary to create an accepting environment and build relationships of mutual trust, respect, and equality.

After an initial student and family assessment, referrals are made to supportive services while maintaining ongoing case management utilizing multi-disciplinary social service teams. APANTLI strives to utilize existing resources by promoting coordinated access to local government programs and services that best address the needs of the clients.

Programs it offers includes:

• Intergenerational Program. It is designed to connect families with resources that promote self sufficiency. They are planning a partnership with San Joaquin County’s Department of Aging to develop a special project called the APANTLI Intergenerational Program. It is based on the belief that elders have life skills and the wherewithal to show our youth the way to a successful life.

• Community Service. APANTLI teaches students and families that an essential part of being a member of a community includes giving back to the neighborhood where you live. APANTLI involves students in neighborhood clean-up projects as well as other activities that promote community service.

• Career Guidance. APANTLI will utilize community private sector business partners to implement an occupational skills development orientation component.

For more information go to www.apantli.org