"Once a Marine Always A Marine"
PROJECT PROFILE - EDGE OF THE WORD FEBRUARY 15, 1995
Introduction
The Foundation for Christian Alternatives has established in Mississippi, an early intervention - Wilderness Training Program - intensive outdoor education in a therapeutic wilderness experience for first time juvenile offenders, teaching basic life skills that result in individual growth and productive lives. We call this early intervention program Edge Of The World. This is an Outward Bound modeled challenge program for less serious juvenile offenders.
Mission Statement
The mission of Edge Of The World is to provide quality alternative programs for youth throughout Mississippi that are based on concepts of a belief in God, individual responsibility an commitment to honesty, unselfishness, purity, and love. Toughening bodies, and arming these youth against the enemies within: fear, defeatism, apathy, and selfishness.
Youth Profile
We expect to receive boys between 10 and 16 years of age. of average intelligence, but may be two or three grades behind in their school success pattern. They may have difficulty managing anger, emotions and verbalizing fears, feeling or thoughts. Participants typically must have had initial contact with the Youth Court. This contact can be through adjudication in the Youth Court (Delinquent, Child In Need of Supervision. etc.) with Edge Of The World utilized as a dispositional alternative for the Court. On a private fee basis, contact man also be established through the local Youth Services Counselors assigned to Community Services through the state, if the juvenile has been referred as a Status offender, or, a Pastor/Church referral (runaway; incorrigible, truant, etc) and would be handled by Informal Adjustment upon recommendation of that counselor. We are not accepting boys who are trafficking in drugs, but those suspected of possession may be acceptable. Sex crime charges are not acceptable. The youth accepted may not currently be on psychotropic medication. Reasonable health is needed, although lack of physical stamina is not a concern.
Activity Profile
The youth live in small group settings comprised of 10 youth and 3 counselors, characterized by cleanliness, order, and structure. The program is designed to promote self government, self-discipline, responsibility, healthy relationships, and communication skills. The group builds its own shelters, cuts its own wood for cooking and heating, repairs equipment, maintains trails, and provides challenging therapeutic recreation activities. Wilderness activity is conducted at State Parks and on private tracts across Mississippi, the barrier is1ands.
Intake into the Edge Of The World program begins March 1, 1995 in Crystal Springs at the MS State Agricultural Experiment Station. Call 601.372.9848 for more details.
Foundation For Christian Alternatives - P.O. Drawer 1228 - Jackson, MS 39282