The MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF) is actively working with the Department of Corrections (DCS) to provide reintegration opportunities for young persons, through the European Union (EU)-funded BRIDGE project.
These young persons are individuals who are within the correctional system, or have had trouble with the law.
Executive Director of the MYF Alicia Glasgow Gentles says the DCS updates the foundation and makes recommendations for persons to participate in the programme.
What we try to do is get the support of the DCS in identifying those people who would be eligible for services. It is challenging sometimes because of the way the court system works, but we’re also now working to be more aligned with some of the Justice Ministry programmes that have a similar objective.
Executive Director of the MYF, Alicia Glasgow Gentles
She noted that programmes like the BRIDGE project provide youth with an opportunity to see a better alternative for themselves.
“Reducing recidivism is a big part of it, but also supporting reintegration. The R in our BRIDGE project is really about reintegrating. One of the benefits of that partnership is young people who are in the system are already a captive audience,” said Glasgow Gentles.
“It is incumbent on us to provide those kinds of services that allow them to build skills while they’re there. But again, a number of them are not necessarily there (in the DCS) for a long time, depending on whether they’re on remand or on probation, many of them have different stays,” she continued.
She added that by fully understanding the processes of the justice system, the MYF can better tailor or create other interventions for different groupings within the DCS.
The EU BRIDGE Project focuses on Building through Reintegration, Intervention, Development, Growth, and Education to prevent youth crime and violence by targeting at-risk youth, aged 15 to 29, in specific communities.
