Juvenile Support Program looks to grow in second year

SPIRIT LAKE - After a strong first year, the Juvenile Support Program is eager to expand.

Funded by a grant from the Idaho Juvenile Justice Commission, the program - an offshoot of Youth Equipped for Success - was started about 14 months ago. It provides special services for rural, at-risk youth, including life skills classes, community service opportunities, field trips and family therapy.

An informational meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday at Spirit Lake Books and Coffee, at the corner of Highway 41 and Massachusetts Street. The public is welcome.

"We've been running (YES) for six years now, but this is the first year for our Juvenile Support Program," said director Crystal Owens. "We've had several youths graduate, and we have some now that are coming back into our program to become youth mentors. It's really encouraging when they want to come back, and they want to stay involved."

Most program participants are between the ages of 10 and 18. Some have been in trouble with the law; some aren't doing well in school and need a guiding force. The kids are referred by the court system, educators, family friends or community members.

Based in Spirit Lake, JSP works with children from all over the Panhandle, from Priest River to Twin Lakes. About 20 youth participated in the program last year.

"It's individualized, and specialized to meet their individual needs," Owens said. "This is a community program. It's for the community, and it's about our kids."

JPS uses a systems-based, case management approach, the release noted. Young people are taught life skills, problem solving and independent thinking, and examine their relationship with the community.

"Our youth in rural areas tend to get into trouble because of boredom," said YES Executive Director Shelley Tschida. "We try to teach them about volunteering; we want them to understand that their actions, whether negative or positive, impact the community."

She said that JPS youth often need new focus or direction. They go on field trips, or interact with mentors. JPS works to expand educational opportunities as well, sometimes helping kids find financial aid.

Strong, independent decision-making, free of peer influence, is also a focal point of the program, Tschida said.

"If (the students) have certain goals, we're going to try our hardest to help them realize those goals," Owens added.

A contingent of about 20 volunteers runs the Juvenile Support Program. JSP hopes to gather more volunteers at Monday's meeting.

"We're hoping that we have a very good turnout, so that we can continue to have the resources available, the volunteer backbone, to assist more youth," Tschida said.

Both directors said the program is looking to expand, and more people will be needed for transportation, mentoring, speaking at a life skills class or other tasks. And the time commitment is flexible, with volunteers working whenever they can - whether it's one hour per week, or one hour per month.

"I think our philosophy is 'Everyone is an expert on something,'" Owens said. "It could be anything ... just being a listening ear to someone when they really need to talk. Before we get our numbers up, we definitely want to make sure we have the support from the community."