Springfield officials are taking a proactive approach against gangs, but it's more than just arresting the gang members. They're trying to stop their aggressive recruiting tactics.

"I have assault and battery and another case for larceny," says Brendaliz Gonzaliz.

At the age of just 13 she is already on probation for a list of offenses, a life she is trying to leave behind now that she's receiving guidance from an after school program provided by the New North Citizen's Council.

"If I was here before all the things happen, none of that would have happened," says Gonzaliz. "And here they tell me how to solve my situations."

"A lot of these kids are at risk right now," says Eric Maldonado of the New North Citizen's Council. "So without programs they are more likely to get in trouble."

Tuesday morning Springfield officials announced they were recieving more than one million dollars in anti-gang funding through the Shannon Grant. That money will keep programs like the New North Citizen's Council's in business.

"People are looking to do the right thing," says Maldonado. "I think they just get caught up with the pressure."

But when gangs use creative recruiting tactics, officials say it's hard for these teens to resist.

"They're recruiting actively," says Darryl Moss of the Mayor's Office. "They're taking over basketball courts, so if you want to play on one of those courts you would want to be in a gang or street based organization."

And it's those less formal gangs, known as street posses, that are the growing local threat.

"We have one up on the hill and we've been told the numbers are up to between five and six hundred members, and growing," says Moss.

Numbers teens like Gonzaliz hope to change, by sharing their experience with others.

"They just sit down and talk to each other about their situations and give each other advice," says Gonzaliz.

This year the Shannon Grant funds are being split between more than 15 local organizations focusing on prevention, outreach and suppression.