Prepare Texas Youth to be Productive, Positive, and Equipped with Life Skills for the Future

Nationally, the majority of residents in juvenile residential placement facilities on October 22, 2003, were accused or adjudicated juvenile offenders (88%). Juvenile offenders held for delinquency offenses accounted for 78% of all residents and 95% of all juvenile offenders (Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2006 National Report). The number of adjudicated youth served by Dallas County Youth Village increased by 45% during a nine month period from December 2005 to September 2006.

Dallas County is beset by an ever increasing need for programs that will reduce juvenile crime and empower our youth with the skills they will need to succeed and, at the same time, reduce the budgetary needs of our juvenile facilities. In August of 2007 Texas Cooperative Extension, master volunteers and community partners collaborated to enhance the existing Youth Village gardening program.

Through a collaborative effort of community partners Project SAVE (Skills Advancement Vocational Education) was develop for Dallas County Youth Village and Metlock residents. Community partners collaborated to integrate programs of learning life work and career – oriented skills with an emphasis on horticulture, culinary arts, nutrition and food service, focused on bringing products from the field to market to table. Motto: “Advancing the Skills of youth through Vocational Education”. Vision: Empowering youth with educational opportunities, life and career skills, to promote pro-social behavior and realize community benefits through collaborative efforts among community partners. More than 40 Dallas County Youth Village residents participated in educational programs designed to teach natural resource and horticultural subject matter. County Extension Agents, Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners work with these youth to teach them knowledge and skills that will improve their ability to obtain employment once released from the Youth Village.

Ensuring Sustainable, Profitable, and Competitive Food and Fiber