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Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
Contact: Loretta S. Neal
Office of
Public Affairs
(803) 896-9518
3,000 Youth Say Yes to “Restoring Carolina Through Youth Service”
Working in every South Carolina county – all at the same time, same day
Click here to see the “Restoring Carolina Through Youth Service” Fact Sheet (with more specific information on the program and the specifics for each county)
Columbia, SC - On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) held a press conference at 10:30 a.m. in the Bill Rogers Community Connections Center on its Broad River Road Complex to announce a major community service initiative. The community service project “Restoring Carolina Through Youth Service” will engage thousands of youth in volunteer projects in every county in South Carolina – all at the same time, on the same day.
Governor Mark Sanford, legislators, youth and leaders from participating organizations around the state were in attendance. Speakers and select guests were available for interviews with the media after the press conference.
On Saturday, September 12, 2009, DJJ staff, adult volunteers and more than 3,000 youth volunteers, many of them under juvenile justice supervision, will gather in their communities for the statewide volunteer service initiative. The initiative coincides with the September 11, National Day of Service, which was created under legislation approved by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama. The legislation encourages service and volunteer opportunities. DJJ has partnered with businesses, agencies, community groups, law enforcement, churches, schools and other groups statewide in developing its day of service. AmeriCorps in South Carolina is one of DJJ’s partners and will have approximately 400 volunteers involved in the initiative.
DJJ’s initiative is focused on service to the community by young people who have made poor choices in their lives. This is their chance to give back and help build stronger communities. Their participation is voluntary and is reflective of the agency’s restorative justice practices, which require accountability among youthful offenders and encourage giving back to the community through service opportunities.
More than 70 different service projects will be undertaken to address the needs of the community, including those dedicated to the elderly and sick, non-profit organizations, food and clothing drives for the needy, various beautification and gardening projects for nursing homes and homeless shelters and a “Clean a Bus” project. The outcome of this result-driven initiative is to make a difference in the lives of those served.
“We are indeed excited about this initiative because it places our young people in position to give back to their communities in a positive way,’’ said DJJ Director Bill Byars. “We are asking others, of all ages, to make a commitment to provide community service with us on September 12."
Click here to see the “Restoring Carolina Through Youth Service” Fact Sheet (with more specific information on the program and the specifics for each county)
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As the state agency responsible for providing rehabilitation and custodial care for the state’s juveniles who are on probation, incarcerated, or on parole for a criminal or status offense, DJJ actively seeks partnerships that foster its mission. That mission supports the Governor’s mission by protecting the public and reclaiming juveniles through prevention, community programs, education and rehabilitative services in the least restrictive environment.
South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
4900 Broad River Road
Columbia SC, 29212-3552
Telephone: 803-896-9749The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age. THE FOLLOWING OFFICES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED TO HANDLE INQUIRIES REGARDING THE NONDISCRIMINATON POLICIES: Title IX -- Inspector General's Office -- 803-896-9595 Title II & 504 -- Special Education Office -- 803-896-8484.
