Q: How many boys are in your program?
A: Currently we have 16, which is the maximum number that our current facilities can accommodate. However, we have a number of boys on our waiting list. Upon completion of our third residence and completion of the Seymour St. John Learning Center at the beginning of the 2012/2013 school year, we will be able to accommodate eight more boys, for a total of 24.
Q: How do the boys become a part of your program?
A: None of the boys in our program are court appointed. All of the boys become a part of our program through their parents/guardians reaching out for help.
Q: Do the boys ever try to run away?
A: Not at all. Change is hard for everyone, especially young people. However, after a brief adjustment period, the boys begin to love being a part of our program. In fact, they often don’t want to leave.
Q: Why do you only accept boys and not girls?
A: 95% of kids involved in juvenile court are boys. 90% of kids in drug treatment programs are boys. 77% of juvenile delinquency cases involve boys. 71% of all school suspensions are boys. 67% of students in high school special education classes are boys. Finally, 94% of the people in federal or state prisons are male.
Q: Why is your program 5 days per week instead of 7?
A: We are in the business of restoring families. Families are a critical part of our program. They are involved in counseling and training sessions throughout the week, and then they are given homework assignments to complete with their boys on the weekend. The combination of working with both the boys and their families is what leads to a much more positive and constructive home environment for everyone.
Q: How long do the boys stay in the program?
A: Most boys stay in our program on average of 2.5 years.
Q: How do they transition back into their families?
A: After the time that the boys and families spend in our program, their lives are forever changed for the better. To help facilitate the transition, we have a mentorship program.
Q: How are you funded?
A: Since our inception, we have been privately funded. Each family pays a small tuition fee, which allows them to be personally invested in the program. These fees cover less than 10% of our overall annual budget. The balance of support comes from individual donors, churches, and grants and foundations. We also host a number of fundraising events annually. We do not accept any government funding.