Jump Start Program
Jump Start is a mentoring program which couples first time nonviolent juvenile offenders or at risk youths with a member of the community to take part in an 8 week decision making skills program.
The juveniles are referred to the program a number of different ways including the Juvenile Court System and through school referrals. The class meets for an hour and a half each week for the 8 weeks. Each session has a different theme relating to decision-making and includes See the Situation Clearly, Know What You Want, Expand The Possibilities, Evaluate Decide and Act, Self Determination, Parents Night and Community Night.
The goals of the Jump Start program are to reduce the number of repeat juvenile offenders, to have the juvenile answerable back to their community, and to have the community accept ownership of their youth and their problems.
The Saco Jump Start program has achieved great success and continues to positively influence the lives of the area youth.