Brittany
was referred to Workout, Ltd. as a 10 year-old charged with Aggravated
Motor Vehicle Theft. The Courts ordered her to
pay over $2,200 in restitution as a result of her offense. Brittany
was subsequently placed in our Work/Restitution Program. Brittany
struggled in the program in the beginning and was suspended from
the Work/Restitution Program several times for rule violations.
In the same, Workout, Ltd. is an organization of fifth and sixth
chances with the youth we serve through our programs. Each time
Brittany was suspended from the work crews she was always allowed
back into the program. She was assessed and laterally placed
in our
Female Empowerment group, which is anger management for young women.
Brittany finally completed her restitution obligations shortly
before her 16th birthday. She went on to receive her high school
diploma, and become gainfully employed as an office assistance
in Colorado Springs. Brittany, recently contacted us and stated
that she is now happily married with one child and resides
in
Germany with her husband who is in the United States Army.
Adam
was originally referred to Workout, Ltd. to complete the Restorative
Justice Program. He and a friend were charged and adjudicated
for 4th Degree Arson, Use of an Incendiary Devise. He participated
in the Victim/Offender Mediation, and successfully completed the
terms of the mediation. Unfortunately, Adam did not leave his negative
peer group and was again arrested and adjudicated for 2nd Degree
Burglary. He and his co-defendant were both referred to the Work/Restitution
Program as they had over $3,600 in restitution to pay as a result
of their offenses. Adam realized during his second time with Workout,
Ltd. that he needed to make a life change. He attended work crew
faithfully on Saturdays and throughout the summer when he was not
in school. It took Adam two years to pay his restitution and complete
his obligations to the courts and his victim. Adam now resides
in Texas working construction.
The true measure of
our success is in a young man named Anthony, who came to our
program two years ago. Anthony was referred to
Workout, Ltd. by Urban Peak for work opportunities. Anthony was
homeless, had to pay off court fines for a drug offense and several
traffic violations and he was a single father of an 18 month old
daughter. We employed Anthony on our crews and his talents for
the work and leadership showed almost immediately. After he had
completed his probationary period we offered him a position in
our Paint Apprenticeship Program through the Department of Labor.
Anthony thrived in this role as apprentice and it was not too long
before we placed him in charge of a paint crew. His estimating,
negotiating, and eye for perfection were evident when we allowed
him to bid a 6000 square foot job for Top-Tech Automotive. Anthony
completed the paint job in time and under our budget for the bid.
Anthony is now 21 years old, he has just rented his first house,
purchased a car and is still caring for his daughter with the help
of his fiancé. I am also, pleased to say he is a now part
of our regular staff at Workout, Ltd. He is currently in charge
of paint contracts and he supervises our demolition clean-up crews
on a 36,000 square foot contract and a 10,385 square foot contract.
Below
are a few
youth’s testimonials from our groups
over the past year of service.
- "I
learned to confront my anger with my mind, not my voice or
fists.” – 16
year old male, Intense Anger Management group.
- “I
learned to ask myself, ‘are the choices I make today
ones I can live with tomorrow?” – 13 year old female,
Theft Seminar.
- “From
this experience I learned that committing a crime is not fun
and games—it is messing
with people’s lives.” 15-year-old
female.
- “I
learned to ask myself, ‘are the choices I
make today ones I can live with tomorrow?’” 13-year-old
female.
- “I
learned that victims’ pain is very hard
to heal.” 14
year old male.
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