ORLANDO, Fla. -- These 20 youngsters were getting ready to take their first airplane ride and go on their first visit to our nation’s capital. They’re all part of Operation Positive Direction, a project of the Orlando Police Department. The program provides mentoring and guidance to Orlando high school and middle school students.

“We have kids in the program who are challenged in some way, either academically, socially or just struggling a little bit and our goal for the program is to improve their overall attendance at school, their grades, and their behavior,” said Lt. Laura Houston, Youth Services Section Commander for the Orlando Police Department.

---

VIDEO: Operation Positive Direction
SLIDESHOW: Kids And Cops In Capital

---

The program, in place for just under a year, teams students with officers from the Orlando Police Department, and volunteers. The goal is to connect the students with successful adults who have overcome challenges similar to those the students face.

Demistris Bush followed in his sisters footsteps

“I saw how it changed her so I wanted to put myself in the positive and try to get with the group myself,” said Demistris Bush, a Jones High 10th grader.

And so Demistris, joined the other students and 7 OPD officers for a spring break trip to Washington, D.C. AirTran Airways gave the group free round-trip tickets. WFTV 9 Family Connection partners are providing the hotel and food costs.

We caught up with the group outside the capital building where they met with local Congressman John Mica and posed for an official photo.

For Jones High 9th grader Chrishawnda Brown this was the trip of a lifetime.

“This is a nice experience to come to Washington D.C. and for them to pick me. It’s like, I’m so honored to be here,” Brown said.

“If you look at their behavior, and you look at their excitement about this, they have worked very hard to get where they are. Of the hundred kids these are the 20 who have been most successful,” Lt. Laura Houston said.

The students return home Sunday. Lt. Houston said that along with improved behavior they have seen an increase in the self-esteem of these students.

---

The Orlando Police Department is looking for volunteers to help mentor these young folks. For more information check out the Orlando Police Department Volunteer Program

---