Inventing and Reinventing Argus: What Makes One Community Organization Work

Abstract

Since 1968, Argus Community, Inc., a South Bronx community-based organization, has had a 70 percent success rate in reclaiming the lives of some of the most at-risk youth in New York City, including juvenile delinquents and drug abusers. In 1987 Argus was selected by the Greater New York Fund as one of six best-managed social welfare agencies in New York. Argus begins by filling in emotional and parental gaps, through an extended family environment that restores trust and develops self-esteem. It moves young people through educational and vocational training to job programs and colleges, among other avenues of future growth. Organizations like Argus can be replicated. The effort must be carried out at the community level, but underwritten by the public sector working with additional private sector resources.

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References

1. Samuel P. Peabody to Elizabeth L. Sturz, 8 Jan. 1986.

2. African American Institute , “Dropping out of School in New York State,” as reported in New York Times, 18 Nov. 1986.

3. Dale Mann, professor of public policy, Columbia Teachers College, quoted in Gannett Westchester Newspapers, 12 Oct. 1986.

4. Ibid.

5. New York State, Department of Labor, quoted in Gannett Westchester Newspapers, 12 Oct. 1986.

6. William C. Ferguson, quoted in Gannett Westchester Newspapers, 12 Oct. 1986.

7. Blanche Bernstein , “A Way to Break the Welfare Cycle,” New York Times, 31 Oct. 1986.