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  4. CBP U.S. Border Patrol Graduates First El Paso Area R.E.A.L. Mission Class

CBP U.S. Border Patrol Graduates First El Paso Area R.E.A.L. Mission Class

Release Date
Fri, 03/16/2012

EL PASO, TEXAS—The El Paso Sector Border Patrol's first graduation of the "R.E.A.L. Mission Campaign" was held Thursday in El Paso as part of an effort to re-direct the youth in our community to a crime-free life and a path of future success.

The ceremony highlighted fourteen students from the El Paso area as part of this first graduating class of the R.E.A.L. Mission Campaign. The R.E.A.L. Mission stands for (Rewarding Education Attitude and Leadership), and was created in Laredo Sector in 2010. The program is a more involved, comprehensive attempt to re-direct participating students and help them follow a more productive path. The El Paso Sector Border Patrol, in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, community partners, the El Paso Independent School District and the El Paso County Justice of the Peace-Precinct 2, volunteered to assist as mentors and instructors in numerous community service projects that provided a healthy and learning environment.

During the month-long program, mentors empower "at-risk" youths by giving them confidence in making correct decisions about their actions, which can have both positive and negative impacts on their lives. The program emphasizes the importance of living a "clean" lifestyle, while educating our youth on the possible repercussions of gang involvement, drug use and criminal activity.

El Paso Sector Border Patrol currently conducts preventative programs such as PRIDE and DETOUR, which focus on the negative impact to youth on getting involved with narcotics and drug smuggling organizations. In contrast, the R.E.A.L. Mission specifically builds leadership and teamwork skills while enhancing future opportunities and employment options; but more importantly, it shows the graduates the benefits of making the right decisions.

These programs exemplify the dedication of the United States Border Patrol and its community partners to help secure our nation's borders and improve the quality of life in our border communities.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021