Reaching Out to the Youth
As youth crime statistics rise, the Youth Outreach Center (YOC), funded by the
court, provides services for them so that they can come to the center after school
for tutoring, anger management classes and self esteem building activities, instead
of going to prison.
Ninety-five percent of the graduates do not return to the Juvenile Justice System afterward.
When asked what issues most teens that come to the center are facing, Appleton quickly replied, “They come from dysfunctional families, single parent, female-head homes, there’s a lack of discipline, no father figure, and they get involved in the
wrong peer groups.”
Most of the teens do not have good school attendance either.
“They’re not doing well in school and are not on track to graduating,” Appleton explained, “but once the kids start coming to the YOC you can almost immediately
see the change in their behavior; they’re quiet and under control. You can hear a
pin drop in the room.”
When asked what makes the program such a success, Appleton said, “The fact
that we work with small groups, about 15-20 kids, and we stick with them for 90
days. We also have a good staff.”
Minister Curtis Mentor, who is like a father to many of the teens, also plays a
large role.
Living on the EDGE
Year long services are offered through the Education Development and Guidance for Employment program ( EDGE ). Three high schools are targeted in the area and given job services to help build their skills. Students are given jobs inside of the organization, such as receptionist work, as well as outside - one example being the public library.
Opportunities
There is a long list of ways EACH is making a difference in the community. There are over two hundred members in their Drug and Alcohol program and 3,572 individuals receiving counseling.
They work with expecting mothers to increase birth weight in their babies and decrease the chances that the baby will die during birth.
They provide day care, talk to kids about drugs and get individuals from “welfare to work”, offer computer training and leadership development.
“We are leading citizens in peaceful actions to advocate for peace in the community,” Appleton said.
To find out more about who they are please visit their webpage www.eastakron.com
