Juvenile Detention Center Volunteers
History
The Portage County Juvenile Detention Center opened in the summer of 1995 and RSVP volunteer participation began to develop about six months later. For the next six months RSVP staff and the Detention Center director struggled with scheduling, legal and logistical problems. By February, 1997 volunteers were coming to the center on a weekly basis.
The center has a maximum capacity of 14 juveniles, both male and female, ranging in age from 11 to 17. It is a holding facility with juveniles staying anywhere from a few days to three months. Juvenile crimes range from relatively minor offenses such as truancy or running away from home, to dangerous and violent offenses such as stealing cars, burglary, sexual assault and even murder. The average stay is about 2 weeks. Juveniles come from all over the state and the Chicago area. School is conducted at the center in the mornings during the regular school year.
Purpose
The purpose of the program is to offer the juveniles a chance to talk with someone who cares, and who is not paid to be there. The RSVP volunteer may be the only adult the juvenile has ever talked with who is not part of the "system" or part of the problem (parents, relatives, etc.). The director reports that many are neglected and/or abused at home, but more often it is the lack of parental supervision and permissiveness at home and the consequent freedom which has lead to incarceration. In the center, they are forced to do something they don't want to do - perhaps for the first time in their lives.
Meeting with the volunteers allows these juveniles an opportunity to release some of their frustration and talk with "grandparents" who will listen without judgment. It gives the juveniles a chance to blow off steam with impunity. The director says he notices a visible difference after the sessions in the juveniles' demeanor, being more relaxed and calm.
History
The Portage County Juvenile Detention Center opened in the summer of 1995 and RSVP volunteer participation began to develop about six months later. For the next six months RSVP staff and the Detention Center director struggled with scheduling, legal and logistical problems. By February, 1997 volunteers were coming to the center on a weekly basis.
The center has a maximum capacity of 14 juveniles, both male and female, ranging in age from 11 to 17. It is a holding facility with juveniles staying anywhere from a few days to three months. Juvenile crimes range from relatively minor offenses such as truancy or running away from home, to dangerous and violent offenses such as stealing cars, burglary, sexual assault and even murder. The average stay is about 2 weeks. Juveniles come from all over the state and the Chicago area. School is conducted at the center in the mornings during the regular school year.
Purpose
The purpose of the program is to offer the juveniles a chance to talk with someone who cares, and who is not paid to be there. The RSVP volunteer may be the only adult the juvenile has ever talked with who is not part of the "system" or part of the problem (parents, relatives, etc.). The director reports that many are neglected and/or abused at home, but more often it is the lack of parental supervision and permissiveness at home and the consequent freedom which has lead to incarceration. In the center, they are forced to do something they don't want to do - perhaps for the first time in their lives.
Meeting with the volunteers allows these juveniles an opportunity to release some of their frustration and talk with "grandparents" who will listen without judgment. It gives the juveniles a chance to blow off steam with impunity. The director says he notices a visible difference after the sessions in the juveniles' demeanor, being more relaxed and calm.
The Program Format
The program has evolved to its present format of twice weekly, one hour visits from RSVP volunteers. Three or four volunteers go to the center and introduce themselves briefly to the juveniles, explain why they have come, and then break up into smaller groups or one-on-one with the juveniles. All youth usually attend, unless staff has decided that a certain individual would be disruptive. The philosophy is that what is offered to one must be offered to all.
At the end of the visit, one of the volunteers passes out evaluation forms to the juveniles who then have the opportunity to request another one-on-one visit from a particular volunteer. The volunteer sets up the additional meeting for another day (usually one half hour) by calling detention center staff (715-346-1263). It is important to find out from center staff how long the particular juvenile will be there. If it is only a few more days, make the visit as soon as possible. Of the average of 500 youths admitted annually, about 80 request additional private visits.
At the end of the visit, one of the volunteers passes out evaluation forms to the juveniles who then have the opportunity to request another one-on-one visit from a particular volunteer. The volunteer sets up the additional meeting for another day (usually one half hour) by calling detention center staff (715-346-1263). It is important to find out from center staff how long the particular juvenile will be there. If it is only a few more days, make the visit as soon as possible. Of the average of 500 youths admitted annually, about 80 request additional private visits.
Volunteer Benefits and Feedback
This is the kind of volunteer program where your efforts and impact will not be readily apparent. You will probably never know whether or not you have made any difference in the lives of these juveniles. However, having you there is an opportunity for the juvenile to have an advocate. They know you are there because you enjoy kids and are interested in each one of them. You cannot solve their problems, but you can help relieve some of their pressure, and reinforce that you really do care about them personally and want to help. Whether you know it or not, you do a tremendous amount of good!
Impact
In the years the program has been offered, the word has spread to new juveniles that "this program is cool." The reputation has spread so that there is not any resistance and the juveniles usually look forward to seeing the "grandparents."
Testimonials
Recently, one of the volunteers shared a wonderful experience she had at the Juvenile Detention center. She said that during one of her men-toring visits at the Center, she was talking with two boys. One was a first time offender to the center and the other has been in and out of the center numerous times. Our volunteer said that the repeat offender was completely out of control and had the most negative attitude of any juvenile she had talked with during the past two years she had been volunteering. Other volunteers had agreed with her assessment.
On this particular day, the new offender asked the volunteers whether they were paid to be there. When the volunteer answered that she was not paid, the boy remarked, "Then why are you here?" The repeat offender jumped up and exclaimed, "Because they are the only ones in this damn town who care about us!" This, coming from one of the most troubled kids, was certainly a testimonial of the impact of this program.
Another example involves a 15-year old juvenile who had been in a gang since he was 8 years old because his mother was a heroin addict. Evidently he was asked by the gang to try and free an inmate from a state prison. His attempt failed. He was in serious trouble with law enforcement as well as the gang, because he could not bring himself to shoot the guard and he surrendered to authorities. He asked for repeated one-on-one visits with one of the volunteers. One day before he left the center, he tearfully hugged the volunteer and said, "If I ever get out of this mess, I want to grow up to be just like you."
Comments from Juveniles
After each session, juveniles are given a chance to write their comments. The following are comments from these notes:
"Keep coming back, you make the people in here feel good."
"Great!"
"Thank you for coming and listening to us. You are good people."
Comments from Volunteers
When RSVP staff asked volunteers to evaluate the kind of feedback they receive from the juveniles the following were given:
"A hug from a juvenile and saying 'You're the only visitor I have had.'"
"The appreciation shown by many when they'll shake your hand and say thank you as they leave the room."
"They seem happier after we have been there."
Recently, one of the volunteers shared a wonderful experience she had at the Juvenile Detention center. She said that during one of her men-toring visits at the Center, she was talking with two boys. One was a first time offender to the center and the other has been in and out of the center numerous times. Our volunteer said that the repeat offender was completely out of control and had the most negative attitude of any juvenile she had talked with during the past two years she had been volunteering. Other volunteers had agreed with her assessment.
On this particular day, the new offender asked the volunteers whether they were paid to be there. When the volunteer answered that she was not paid, the boy remarked, "Then why are you here?" The repeat offender jumped up and exclaimed, "Because they are the only ones in this damn town who care about us!" This, coming from one of the most troubled kids, was certainly a testimonial of the impact of this program.
Another example involves a 15-year old juvenile who had been in a gang since he was 8 years old because his mother was a heroin addict. Evidently he was asked by the gang to try and free an inmate from a state prison. His attempt failed. He was in serious trouble with law enforcement as well as the gang, because he could not bring himself to shoot the guard and he surrendered to authorities. He asked for repeated one-on-one visits with one of the volunteers. One day before he left the center, he tearfully hugged the volunteer and said, "If I ever get out of this mess, I want to grow up to be just like you."
Comments from Juveniles
After each session, juveniles are given a chance to write their comments. The following are comments from these notes:
"Keep coming back, you make the people in here feel good."
"Great!"
"Thank you for coming and listening to us. You are good people."
Comments from Volunteers
When RSVP staff asked volunteers to evaluate the kind of feedback they receive from the juveniles the following were given:
"A hug from a juvenile and saying 'You're the only visitor I have had.'"
"The appreciation shown by many when they'll shake your hand and say thank you as they leave the room."
"They seem happier after we have been there."
If You'd Like to Volunteer
Should you have any questions about the program, call RSVP at 346-1401 or email rsvp@co.portage.wi.us.
Lincoln Center
1519 Water Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
715-346-1401
1519 Water Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
715-346-1401
