Youth Direct Ministry and Operation Starting Line, a collaboration of Panhandle churches and ministries, extended their Juvenile Prison program to hurting teens who are serving time in Florida’s Juvenile correctional facilities.
The program, whose main objective is to prevent teens from returning to crime, reached some 1,200 offenders in Florida’s correctional centers on Aug 6-8.
Young offenders were provided guidance based on Christian faith, which could help them making the right moral choices in life right after spending time in correctional centers.
“Altering the course of juvenile offenders through a change of heart offers our best hope of reducing future crimes,” said Don Smarto, president of Youth Direct.
Ex-offenders and speakers, versus athletes delivered speeches at the event. Sensational stories were told and encouragements were given to the prisoners who were hopeful for brighter futures.
The next event of the program will be in South Texas on Oct 2 and Oct 9.
