What We Do
Family Support Services
Adolescent Offenders Program
Helping youth who have been in trouble develop positive life skills in order to become productive members of our community, is the goal of our AOP programs.
AOP works with youth between the ages of 12-17 who need extra support and attention in order to make positive life choices. The goals of AOP are to (1) increase school attendance and academic attainment, (2) increase employment skills, (3) increase interpersonal skills and build self-esteem, and (4) to provide therapeutic services to safely divert youth from becoming further involved with the criminal justice system. All of the kids in the AOP program are referred by local Youth Courts because of behavior problems at home or school or for other non-violent offenses. These kids live throughout our communities…they might live next door, or down the street from you, they might even live in your home.
Youth in AOP attend schools, just like any other kid, or they may be enrolled in a GED program. They are not evil criminals….just kids who’ve done stupid stuff and hung out with the wrong crowd…kids who need someone to care enough to help them make better choices in their lives. The YMCA is that someone.
We currently offer AOP programs in eight counties including: Amite, Copiah, Franklin, Lawrence, Lincoln, Prentiss, Rankin and Tippah. We provide services which nurture youth into becoming productive citizens in the community. We work with their teachers, parents, family and employers (if applicable) to help address any issues or negative influences that these kids have.
Kids in our program come from all walks of life – single parent homes, homes with both parents present, low-income, middle class – you name it. You’d also be surprised to know that some of these kids come from families that you would never expect – but all kids are at-risk and we’re here to help.
For more information on our Adolescent Offender Programs, please contact Renee Brannon at 601-954-3028 or by emailing Renee at rbrannon@metroymcams.org