NCJ Number
57473
Date Published
1979
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE CONCORD FRIENDS PROGRAM, A COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO OFFER LONG-RANGE AND INTENSIVE ATTENTION TO CONCORD YOUTH WHO HAVE CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE FRIENDS APPROACH CENTERS AROUND REHABILITATION THROUGH ONE TO ONE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TROUBLED YOUTH AND RESPONSIBLE ADULTS. THE MODEL PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO SERVED 75 YOUTHS, AGED 6 TO 18, FROM THE CONCORD AREA; THE TARGET POPULATION IS COMPRISED OF DELINQUENTS, PRE-DELINQUENTS, STATUS OFFENDERS, AND OTHER YOUTH. THE PROGRAM, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS 1978-1979 EVALUATION REPORT, IS AN INDEPENDENT CHARITABLE AGENCY SUPPORTED BY THE CITY OF CONCORD, PRIVATE OR AN INDIVIDUAL FOUNDATION FUNDS, AND VARIOUS FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES; IT IS MODELED AFTER THE PARTNERS PROGRAM OF DENVER, COLORADO, CLIENT REFERRALS ARE ACCEPTED FROM A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY YOUTH SERVICE AGENCIES. SELECTED COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS (SENIOR FRIENDS) AND TROUBLED YOUTHS (JUNIOR FRIENDS) ARE MATCHED IN ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIPS AND ENGAGE IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, (E.G.) RESTITUTION, OUTWARD BOUND, SCHOOL SUPPORT, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, AND COUNSELING SERVICES. THE SERVICES ARE INTENDED TO INCREASE THE YOUTH'S SENSE OF SELF-WORTH, EFFECTIVENESS, AND HAPPINESS; DEVELOP GOOD MORAL JUDGMENT; IMPROVE COPING SKILLS; AND DEVELOP AWARENESS OF SOCIETAL VALUES AND INSTITUTIONS. THE FRIENDS STAFF CAREFULLY MONITORS EACH JUNIOR-SENIOR FRIEND ARRANGEMENT TO DETERMINE WHAT AREAS PROGRAM SUPPORT ARE NECESSARY TO ENHANCE THE RELATIONSHIP. THE PROGRAM IS PRESENTLY IN ITS SECOND YEAR OF FUNDING, AND AS INDICATED BY THE RESULTS OF THE INTERNAL PROGRAM EVALUATIONS, IT IS SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE DELINQUENT AND PREDELINQUENT OFFENDER BY OFFERING REHABILITATION, COUNSELING SUPPORT, AND STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT FUNDING BE CONTINUED. BUDGET DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LWM)