Last chance to turn it around

By Mary Alice Garrett

This story originally appeared June 5, 2003 in the News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware.

Project Stay Free staffers say it’s their "great caring" that makes the difference.

Project Stay Free is an alternative to incarceration for New Castle County adolescents found guilty of felonies and misdemeanors. By court order, the youths attend the supervision program rather than be sent to a correctional facility.

The 12-year-old program is funded by the state Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, and operated by the Kingswood Community Center in Wilmington. Included are a Day Treatment School, Home-Based Services (for high-risk offenders) and In-Home Detention Services. The Day Treatment School at 2223 N. Market St. currently serves 25 youths ages 14-18. All are picked up at their homes at 7 a.m. and returned there after 7 p.m. In between, they have academic classes, recreational activities, community-service work and three meals. Curfew begins at home at 9.

Participants are from the poorest to the wealthiest neighborhoods - from Claymont to Middletown (including Greenville and Centreville) - said Michael Stewart, day treatment manager: Discipline and structure are often what’s missing at home, Stewart added.

Most stay with the program for four to six months and then return to their former schools. While ability levels range from third to 12th grade, most classes are taught on a ninth-grade level.

"Participation, cooperation and attitude. That’s what they hear every day" said Stewart. "We get actively involved with them - push them, challenge them to build self-esteem, self-confidence, selfworth, self-dignity and self-respect — rather than self-destructiveness. We tell them, ‘Your issues will be dealt with.' "

Many initially resist the structure of the program, but 70 percent complete it. Staff members work hard to turn negative behavior into positive by building self-esteem.

"We have a motto of great caring," said Rita Ferguson, program manager. "When all else fails, there’s great caring."

This is evident when you observe the counselors and teachers. Counselor Zachary Crawford is accustomed to late night calls from a parent when a child is "acting out" or hasn’t met curfew. A former college football player, Crawford is a formidable presence who connects with the adolescents, whom he calls "clients." "They’re slick," said Crawford. "Sometimes they call me from somewhere else [when they’re supposed to be home.]"

Students learn to express their feelings - verbally, in writing and in art. Through personal and group dynamics, they recognize failure and how to set goals in a "Failure to Success Program." Some elect weekly art therapy at the Delaware Art Museum, while others attend a self-development "poster program" that includes writing inspirational poetry and rap songs.

The art classes began two years ago at the suggestion of Carl Schnee, former U.S. attorney for Delaware and museum board president. Students express themselves through the visual arts and also acquire an appreciation for the arts. It has a calming effect on them, said teacher George Hall. Some of their artwork is currently on display at the museum, now housed at the Riverfront Arts Center in Wilmington.

Recently the youths were asked to write stories about themselves and follow up with charcoal illustrations.

Dymere Curtis, 16, drew an impressive charcoal depicting his 2002 amateur boxing match at Frawley Stadium when he was declared Delaware light-weight champion. He came to Project Stay Free because "I was trying to make easy money [selling drugs], hanging around the wrong crowd. I regret it, though," Curtis said. He plans to complete the program, get a high school. degree and become a professional boxer.

Seventeen-year-old Tyaire Taylor drew a striking picture of himself and a book (representing knowledge). "I cannot tell what I am yet until I can truly find who I am, but I know one day I will be complete," he wrote in "My Journal."

"This is the answer to what happens when you make bad decisions," said Tom Bradley 15, who drew a picture of a prison.

The students also have learned to sculpt, paint and build small machines with museum artist Bennett Siegel. "They do very well. They excel quite well," said Siegel. "Our goal is to give them a problem-solving tool kit."

Some participants have also excelled at The Stock Market Game, a simulation that teaches the stock markets and the U.S. and global economies, offered by the University of Delaware’s Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship. Project Stay Free’s team placed fourth among participating Delaware high schools.

"The kids really loved doing The Stock Market Game and to see that they had made a profit," said Hall.

"It was fun to go against other teams," added team member Jalessa Banner, 14. Banner said the staff has helped her control her temper through anger management. She hopes to start McKean High School in the fall. "I’ll do what I have to do to stay out of Project Stay Free."

While many participants resent the program when they’re in it, others return later to praise it. "A lot of times, the peer group helps," said Ferguson.

"I’ve never worked in a place like this," Ferguson added. “It’s truly a mission. It’s challenging, but it’s so rewarding."