Final Paper Juvenile Justice Essays

Final Paper Juvenile Justice Essays Final Paper Juvenile Justice Essay Final Paper Juvenile Justice Essay Final Paper Juvenile Justice BY SGreene93 Stephen Greene 12/03/2013 qc-113-001 Final Paper There are currently two programs specifically in Henderson County which I am writing this paper about. One of the programs is the local Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County and the D. A. R. E. Program of Henderson County. I decided to write about local programs because it would give me the opportunity to learn more about juvenile delinquency prevention programs within my own community. Both programs are a huge staple within Henderson County and are two of the most important uvenile delinquency prevention programs within Henderson County. First I will report about the local Boys and Girls Club within Henderson County. On November 1st 1993 The Boys Girls Club of Henderson Co. opened its doors to 150 youth in the Green Meadows Community Center. (This 2000-sq. -ft. room now houses the Clubs game-room and a kitchen. ) (3). In 1995 The Club obtained two adjacent houses†one eventually renovated into a teen center (1250 sq. t. ), and one renovated into a classroom facility and counseling center (1200 sq. ft. ) (3). In February 1996 The Club pened a 12,000-square-foot addition of classrooms, lobby, office space and a large gymnasium to serve the expanding membership (3). Between the years of 1998 and 1999 The Club operated a satellite unit in an old school annex building in East Flat Rock, expanding the Clubs reach into other parts of Henderson County (3). On January 1st, 2000 The Club opened its doors to a 3,000-square-foot Center for the Arts. : Divided into a visual arts space and a performing arts space, the building also houses the largest kitchen on campus. This expansion of the main campus allowed he organization to merge the East Flat Rock unit into the Green Meadows facility. Annual membership surged to more than 500, with a uniquely balanced distribution of African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Caucasian and Native American youth (3). Currently in the Henderson County branch of the Boys and Girls Club attendance is well over 1000 children, which is simply amazing. The mission of the Boys and Girls club is simple, to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens (1). The second rogram I am going to talk about is the Henderson County D. A. R. E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. The D. A. R. E. program started in 1983 in Los Angeles, California as a partnership between parents, schools and law enforcement to educate children on the consequences of drug abuse and teaching good decision making skills to enable them to live productive drug and violence-free lives (2). The Henderson County branch started in 1985 in several schools in Henderson County as a pilot program for North Carolina and was implemented in 1987 in all the elementary schools locally (2). DARE has continued in the classroom since that time with well-trained, dedicated officers making a difference in childrens lives. The DARE Curriculum is focused at the 5th grade level, but has lessons available for all grades. There is also a D. A. R. E. amp in Henderson County, which is a summer program that children can attend that goes into even more detail than Just the course they are required to take in school. It is an amazing opportunity for the children as well as their mentors. DARE Camp has grown from a day camp with 35 campers to an overnight camp with approximately 220 campers each year (2). Activities include: archery, swimming, first aide, zip line, the blob, fishing, canoeing, crafts, team challenges, singing, devotions, skit night, campfire, DARE Dance, self-defense, kayaking, K -9 demonstration, speakers, lots of good food and fun (2). Campers learn to do new things, build friendships and more than anything learn that you can have an extraordinary amount of fun without drugs. Overall I feel like both of the local juvenile delinquency prevention programs within Henderson County are successful. With the Henderson County Boys and Girls Club I feel the way they attract the hildren into the program and once the children are accepted into the program they have peers around them that share a lot of similar traits and make the child feel comfortable. It is a great prevention method by putting trouble children with friends who will support them and mentors that will teach them how to live and have a successful life. The Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County will ultimately be successful in the long run. My definition of ultimately successful is helping any amount of children become more successful in life and divert them from making the rong choices, which is exactly what the Boys and Girls Club is accomplishing with their programs all around the world including Henderson County. The local D. A. R. E. program in Henderson County is another great program offered by Henderson County. I agree with making the D. A. R. E. program mandatory in elementary schools, if you target the children at a young age it accomplishes more before they get into drugs. The D. A. R. E program is not only in North Carolina, when I was in 5th grade I went through it in Florida where I went to elementary school, I now it affected me in a positive way by making drugs bad and promoting other things like friends and finding other hobbies that you can enjoy. Just like the Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County I feel that the D. A. R. E. program within Henderson County will be ultimately successful. I say this for the same exact reason as the last one, helping any amount of children become more successful in life and divert them from making the wrong choices is what is ultimately successful in my book. References: (1). N. p.. web. 1 Dec 2013.. (2). N. p.. web. 1 Dec 2013.. (3). N. p.. web. 1 Dec 2013..