Because of the threat of gangs, drugs and violence in their community, in the fall of 1990 16 African-American men started the Positive Impact Program (PIP) in Wynne, Arkansas for at-risk African-American boys. The program was originally developed to serve boys in kindergarten through eighth grade, but it has recently been made available to all youth. Wynne contains a poor neighborhood in which 95% of the 2,000 residents are black. Also, the unemployment rate is about 60% and about 70% of the residents are welfare recipients living below the poverty level. There are problems with teen pregnancy, drugs, violence, and gangs. The PIP program serves about 130 youth in grades K-8, about 43% of the black male youth population in the neighborhood. Three-fifths of the adolescent participants come from a one parent-household and 75% of them receive free or reduced-price lunch. The program has 17 adult advisors who supervise community service and work activities of the youth. The youngsters are encouraged to participate in tutoring services provided by advisors and teachers. PIP offers a comprehensive meeting of needs for at-risk youth in addressing concerns for their safety, academic success, relationship with peers and adults, emotional well-being, and cultural and recreational interests. Contains five references. (JE)