Cliff Buchan
News EditorStill faced by a strong demand for services, the board of the Youth Service Bureau is launching a fund-raising drive in an effort to avoid cutting programs.
Faced by the loss of $100,000 of grants from state, federal and large foundations this year and another potential loss of $250,000 in the 2004-2005 fiscal year, the board of directors is now looking outward for financial help.
Jackie Anderson, board chair, and Jeanne Walz, executive director of the Forest Lake-based YSB, this week announced plans to launch an aggressive program seeking local contributors. The drive has been dubbed the 100 donor program.
ìWe are seeking 100 donors to contribute $1000 each,î Anderson said.
The local drive is being negotiated through letters to business owners and organizations.
At the same time, Anderson said public announcements also serve as an invitation to welcome the general public to join in the fund-raising effort.
Throughout its history, the YSB has derived less than five percent of its funding from local donors, businesses, service organizations and individuals in the service area.
The budget realities this year and the projected loss of funds next are the key reasons behind the drive.
ìFaced with those harsh realities, there are only two choices,î Anderson said. ìWe severely cut back services and programs or we try to raise funds through the community.î
Based on the still high demand for services, Anderson said cutting services now ìis the last step we want to take.î
In light of the budget reductions for fiscal year ending in March, staff reductions have already taken place. One counseling position in the restorative justice program and two counselors in the prevention programs have been eliminated.
YSB facts
Founded 26 years ago in Forest Lake, the Youth Service Bureau today encompasses three counties and eight communities, including the North Branch and Chisago Lakes areas.
During 2002, the YSB served 2454 young people through core programs in diversion/restorative justice, prevention and truancy.
The diversion/restorative justice programs help first time and low-level juvenile offenders understand the consequences of their actions on their victims and their communities.
According to YSB data, 89 percent of youth entering the YSB program had no further involvements with the juvenile justice court system six months after program completion, 91 percent of program graduates increased school attendance, 72 percent increased school performance and 90 percent showed improved decision making skills.
Anderson and Walz said Washington Countyís juvenile court case filing is less than half the rate of the rest of the stateís.
The restorative justice program brings first time offenders face to face with the victims they have injured through low level property or assault offenses. Trained community volunteers help these young people understand the impact of their actions and the consequences to the community and others when wrong choices are made.
Under the program, many young people are assigned community work projects. YSB surveys on their release indicate 96 percent felt the work they did was meaningful, 72 percent felt better about themselves after doing community service, 88 percent felt valued and respected while doing the service, 88 percent made a positive connection with an adult during the work, and 48 percent said they would volunteer as a result of doing community service.
The YSBís prevention programs served 1,201 children in 2002. Programs include anger management and control, managing peer pressure in decision-making, respect for diversity and other topics of interest to elementary and junior high students.
ìThrough all of these programs, we are committed to carrying on the mission of the YSB, ëìTo Ensure the Success of Youth,íî Anderson said.
For more information about the 100 donor program for businesses and organizations or for individuals wishing to help in any way, call the Forest Lake office at 651-464-3685 or the North Branch office at 651-674-0191.
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