LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Officials hope a community program serving at-risk Latino boys in Lincoln provides them with a positive outlet that prevents them from joining gangs.

Joven Noble is grant-funded and one of several citywide programs working to identify children most susceptible to gang influence.

City officials say programs like Joven Noble can help shake the foothold gangs have in the area. Police have so far identified more than 30 gangs in Lincoln, with a total of 900 known members or associates.

The program is aimed at helping provide support for children between 10 and 18 and getting them to discuss problems they may have. Outside of weekly workshops, program officials say they’ll organize soccer games, help the boys with schoolwork and connect them with mentors.