Troubled teens get second chance at institute
BEAUFORT, S.C. |
Thirty-two troubled teenagers are getting a chance
to avoid prison through a program that that teaches
the teens life skills, including discipline and
proper manners.
Anthony Bowens, director of operations for Beaufort Marine Institute, said many of the teenagers have been abused or neglected.
It is one of three alternative residential programs of the state Department of Juvenile Justice and operated by the Associated Marine Institutes, a nonprofit organization that operates 50 programs for juvenile offenders in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Beaufort Marine Institute serves males ages 14 through 17 years of age and is located in Seabrook.
The program provides an outlet to help teens manage their frustrations, overcome insecurities and get a grip on lives that were spiraling out of control.
"We want to show them that there is a world outside of gang-banging and the slums," Bowens said. "We want to help them succeed by giving them a second chance at life."
The teens go to class every day and are encouraged to get their high-school equivalency diplomas and continue their educations.
Students also are taught everyday lessons like money management, grooming and sex education.
"We want them to have life skills when they leave here," Bowens said. "We teach them to balance a check book, how to swim and how to speak and greet others. We want them to be well rounded and productive citizens when they are ready to leave here."
Before they leave the institute, the teens have to go home once a month where parents or guardians fill out report cards on their behavior while at home.
"I wasn't focused on my work and I was getting into a lot of trouble with fighting after school," said Harvey Wiggins, 17, of Charleston. "They showed me I had a problem with my attitude and how to have self control. They showed me how to be respectful of others."
Anthony Bowens, director of operations for Beaufort Marine Institute, said many of the teenagers have been abused or neglected.
It is one of three alternative residential programs of the state Department of Juvenile Justice and operated by the Associated Marine Institutes, a nonprofit organization that operates 50 programs for juvenile offenders in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Beaufort Marine Institute serves males ages 14 through 17 years of age and is located in Seabrook.
The program provides an outlet to help teens manage their frustrations, overcome insecurities and get a grip on lives that were spiraling out of control.
"We want to show them that there is a world outside of gang-banging and the slums," Bowens said. "We want to help them succeed by giving them a second chance at life."
The teens go to class every day and are encouraged to get their high-school equivalency diplomas and continue their educations.
Students also are taught everyday lessons like money management, grooming and sex education.
"We want them to have life skills when they leave here," Bowens said. "We teach them to balance a check book, how to swim and how to speak and greet others. We want them to be well rounded and productive citizens when they are ready to leave here."
Before they leave the institute, the teens have to go home once a month where parents or guardians fill out report cards on their behavior while at home.
"I wasn't focused on my work and I was getting into a lot of trouble with fighting after school," said Harvey Wiggins, 17, of Charleston. "They showed me I had a problem with my attitude and how to have self control. They showed me how to be respectful of others."