Columbia County has a new program aimed at helping troubled teens. It’s called “The Safe Youth Project.” Part of the mission is to find areas where teens and their families need support.
Located in the city of Harlem, it’s aimed at keeping teens from leading a life of crime.
“Right now, what we have is an alternative to confinement. Parents can call out there if they have a question, we have a full counseling staff,” said Columbia County Juvenile Court Judge Doug Flanagan.
“Research tells us the earlier you intervene, the better. So what better time than when they first come through [the court system],” said Columbia County Community Connections Director Julie Miller.
From words like “Dream, Imagine to Believe” on the wall, you can get a sense of what this facility is all about.
“We give them counseling, we give their family counseling. We work on improving family relationships and communication because it's tough when you're a teen,” said Miller.
If troubled teens can get the message here then Judge Doug Flanagan says the state funded program has done its job.
“You're going to have to report there every day- someone who can keep you, people there to help you with your homework and get professional counseling,” said Flanagan.
If you don't have kids, it is beneficial to you as well.
“It's expensive to put a child in confinement. It costs more to put a child in confinement then it does as an adult,” Flanagan said.
Right now, Judge Flanagan says this is the only program of its kind in the state of Georgia. The three-year grant funded program could be implemented in other areas, depending on how well it does in Columbia County.
He says it could even expand once Columbia County Community Connections moves into its new building in Grovetown, where the Health Department once was.
If you’d like more information, call Tara Combs at (706) 556-3006.
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