PHASE IV

	An effective human being is a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.
	-Ida P. Rolf

Children who have entered the Juvenile Justice system, or who are close to entering that system, are at the extreme end of the juvenile at-risk continuum. At this stage in their lives, illiteracy, drug abuse, poor hygiene, low self-esteem, poverty, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and hopelessness are generally accelerated.

I made the decision to commit a major portion of my life’s work to these children because they were there for me at my darkest hour.  Through them, I was able to heal major scars of my own, while learning about their incredible lives and powerful will to survive the nightmares life had given them at a young age.  What they have survived makes them extraordinary to me, and I am elated that we have been able to create a program which can direct this population in a positive and productive direction.

As this population succeeds in removing itself from the criminal justice system, society enjoys enormous benefits as well: less crime; safer communities; higher overall productivity; and lower costs for crime prevention.

Pathways to Excellence: Application to Juvenile Justice

PTE, when applied in its entirety, has consistently overcome traditional impediments to Juvenile Justice by:

1. Analyzing the target population
2. Creating a composite profile for that population
3. Systematically increasing cleanliness and organization of the institution involved
4. Motivating Staff to be active participants in the process
5. Awakening the children to their true potential

The process yields specific areas to target for both the individual and the group. With target areas identified, frameworks are created to guide both the individual and the group to the desired direction. And though this process initially occurs systemically (i.e. it is delivered through social agencies), the ultimate objective is to guide individuals to adopt positive and productive frameworks for life by themselves.

Making the System Work

The Hollenbeck Youth Center , located in East Los Angeles , is nationally recognized for its innovative programs. Over the years, Executive Director Daniel Hernandez has given the world:

•          The Inner City Games
•          Olympic and world-class boxers
•          A unique approach to dealing with inner city problems

In 1999, after being contacted by Toronto ’s Urban Alliance on Race Relations, Mr. Hernandez asked Rob LeVine to be the keynote speaker at the annual Color of Freedom Festival, to present PTE’s answer to combating gang growth and proliferation in Toronto , Canada as well as issues dealing with juvenile crime generally. (Link to speech)  In attendance were representatives from the Toronto Police Department; Toronto Social Services agencies; non-profit agencies; the mayor’s office, and members of the community at-large.

Delegates to this conference came away recognizing the criminal, economic and social power that gang life offers to many who see no other option. They also learned how to create alternative scenarios for these children. Participants in the PTE Response to Juvenile Crime program arrived home with viable answers to:

•          Gangs & gang proliferation
•          Inner City children
•          Life in the Inner City
•          Decreasing Juvenile Crime

They also learned to make the most of opportunities by

•          Individual application of group lessons
•          Motivating improvement
•          Separating truth from fiction on the streets
•          Skills training
•          Turning abuse into nurture

Video techniques have been developed, as has an online course for teachers of at-risk students. Responses to those programs have been universally strong, both from both administrators and students.

Most minors in juvenile halls have been committing crimes for many years. I have no doubt that most of these children can be guided to free and productive lives.