Who We Are
Gangfree.org was developed by the Gang Alternatives Program (GAP), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides services and programs to promote a gangfree lifestyle to young people and their families.
Every day, GAP’s positive impact is felt by thousands of people in multiple communities in and around the Los Angeles area – Boyle Heights, Carson, Compton, Downtown Los Angeles, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Lynwood, Rowland Heights, San Pedro, South Los Angeles, Unincorporated Whittier, Watts, and Wilmington. By introducing the new revitalize Gangfree.org website, GAP can expand its support to countless young people, residents, funders and stakeholders throughout Los Angeles County.
Our Gangfree Vision:
To prevent young people from joining gangs.
Our Gangfree Mission:
To eliminate the base of gang membership by having a generation of young people say, “no” to gangs and “yes” to positive lifestyle choices.
Our Gangfree Goals:
- Promote a Gangfree lifestyle to all young people and their families.
- Provide gang awareness and gang prevention education to all elementary and middle school age children.
- Offer a parent education component to support children in resisting the temptations of gang membership.
- Maintain a graffiti removal and community clean up service for areas around schools, parks, businesses and residences
Our Gangfree Program Components:
- School-based youth gang prevention curriculum for 2nd, 4th,
and 6th grades - Court approved parent and teen education program
- Graffiti prevention education program
- Extensive graffiti abatement program
- Bulky items pick up program
- Community Beautification
- Youth job training and development
- STEP-UP! after school programs
- Outreach and referral services
- Gangfree Life®
- Gangfree Life® Academy
Message from the
Executive Director
The Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) Board of Directors has named SueAnn D. Ballat, M.P.A as GAP’s new Interim Executive Director for the Gang Alternatives Program (GAP).
Ms. Ballat assumed the role beginning on January 1, 2023 and she is now responsible in overseeing the day- to-day operations of the organization and its community programs. GAP’s serves over 3,000 youths and their families each year through My Gangfree Life® programs, and removes over 8 million square feet of graffiti annually through our Community Clean Up (CCU) programs.
“As a native of Wilmington, I consider GAP my home community-based organization, and thrilled to lead one of the City’s long-standing agency established in 1986 with its objective in keeping the community and its youths with a gangfree life®,” Says Ms. Ballat.
Ms. Ballat not only comes with her local experiences growing up in the community, but also as a graduate of GAP’s professional development programs, Senior Executive Training Alliance (SETA) and the Junior Executive Program (JEP). “I started my career working at GAP in 2005, and had opportunities for professional growth in training programs provided by the organization with the SETA and JEP programs,” stated SueAnn. “These kinds of professional development programs are essential to any workforce interested in retaining long -term key employees in the organization.”
Ms. Ballat will oversee the remainder of the 2022-2023 fiscal year for the organization in the interim executive director capacity. This will include projects such as GAP’s Annual Mitch Maricich Fundraising Event held in the Spring/Summer and its summer enrichment programs, such as STEP UP! and My Gangfree Life®.