Thomasville REACH program strives to help troubled youths
By Anne Williamson Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY ANNE WILLIAMSON Above: Sarah Smith watches as DYS youths walk to class at the Thomasville REACH program boot camp.

Their day begins at 5 o'clock each morning and by 6 o'clock they've begun physical training. The entire day is structured with a rigorous schedule of disciplined physical activity, class work and anger management training.

The Thomasville REACH Program is one of two boot camps under the Department of Youth Services in Alabama. The facility serves up to 24 male youths committed as "HIT" (High Intensive Treatment) status from juvenile courts throughout the state.

The boys, between the ages of 8 and 19, will stay a minimum of 28 day and up to 49 days. By the end of each week they have to meet a certain goal before moving up to the next level. It's not hard to distinguish the level each is on by the color of their shirts. Boys in their first week at DYS will wear black shirts. Phase two is blue; orange - three; and purple is the color designated for the final phase.

Every Monday is graduation day for the boys who completed the entire four phases. This particular week there were no students to meet that goal. However when they do complete the program some may go home, while other boys may go to drug rehab.

Below: Bunks at the Thomasville DYS center.

Each Tuesday new boys are sent from the juvenile courts to begin the process.

"Our goal is to provide personal discipline, education, physical training and anger management skills to promote maturity, personal growth and enrichment in their lives," said Wesley Gantt, acting campus administrator.

First level

The first week is difficult as the boys begin the process. They are tested to see what school level they are in.

"They have to go to school," Gantt said.

The court has ordered they continue their education while at DYS.

"As a matter of fact they get better grades while they're here than before," Gantt said. "Some have quit school. The court ordered them to get a GED before they graduate and we have a 99-percent success rate on GED."

Also during the first week they boys begin anger management training.

The 60-ft. tall obstacle tower is to show the boys if they can conquer it, they can conquer life's other obstacles.

"They are taught how to deal with their anger and that it's OK to be angry. But we teach them how to deal with it," Gantt said. "We also role play to see how they would react in a real-life situation. The boys are given the opportunity to critique and criticize each other during this phase."

Second level

During the second week the boys enter the changing direction series with 13 videos on life skills. During this they learn how to work through a certain situation. Anger management is incorporated throughout this phase.

Third level

The third phase is similar to the second, however the situations become harder. "They've had enough of the real-life training by this time they are now able to handle the situations.

Fourth level

During each prior level they have also been involved in intensive physical training. At this point the main thing they have to overcome is the "Alpine Tower," a 60-foot tall obstacle course.

DYS instructors Stephinie Dortch and Wesley Gantt.

"The boys have seven climbs on the tower they have to complete," Gantt said. "It's a challenge for the boys. We get them to see it is a challenge but like life, it's not going to be easy but they can do it."

"We tell them 'I am a winner. I can be successful'," Gantt said. "There are other things they can do besides getting into trouble."

They are boys

"We take great pride in promoting community involvement as well as community service programs," said Stephinie Dortch, volunteer coordinator. However, there are areas where state funds cannot be used. These are the areas where we solicit support from the community."

"During their commitment, special days such as Thanksgiving and Christmas are times when there is a need for financial as well as other means of support such as food, clothing, games recreation equipment, etc.," Dortch added.

Several area churches and organizations help to provide support, but Dortch and Gantt added there are still needs to be filled.

One project they hope volunteers will undertake is to provide birthday parties or cookouts.

A few suggested individual gifts the boys will be allowed to accept include caps, socks, personal hygeine items, personal CD player, hand-held video games, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and board games.

"Our special goal is to improve the reading skills of the students in our care," Dortch said. "Reluctant readers are sometimes denied opportunities to be exposed to good literature. One strategy to help these students be enriched is to offer them literature through books on tape. We hope to motivate their efforts on improving their reading skills by giving a taste of what enjoyment reading can provide.

Anyone or any organization that is interested in supporting these students with any of the projects can contact Stephinie Dortch at 334-636-8703.

Any monetary donations to help provide for Christmas should be sent no later than Dec. 14 to: Student Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 695, Thomasville, AL 36784.

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