V.O.I.C.E.S.

(Vocational / Occupational / Initiatives / Creating Employment)

V.O.I.C.E.S. provides many services and resources for early community intervention in the live of our youth before they are processed into the Juvenile Justice System. Through the implementation of the V.O.I.C.E.S. Program we have promoted crime prevention, early intervention program by focusing on the “High Risk” population.

Our Program is designed to serve 120 youth annually, ages 10-17 who report to the program on a weekly basis. Vocational Trainers with experience in a wide variety of occupational trades are contracted to provide direct services on a weekly basis. Licensed Substance Abuse and mental health Counselors meet with youth on a weekly basis. We have created community awareness in students and educated them on the importance of good citizenship, ethics, and morals, by implementing a Vocational Educational Training as well as Service Learning Projects.

The specific problem to be addressed is the absence of available resources within Van Zandt County for youth, to prevent Juvenile Crime and provide alternative lifestyles to our youth through Education, Vocational Training, Community Service Learning, and Social Skills Training.