Tomorrow is a New Day

Guiding troubled youth to a better future.

by MONROE ROARK

never seen their name on a birthday cake,” said Mathis of the incarcerated youth. “Although they are in there for mistakes they made, we want them to know that God has not forgotten them and neither have we.”

For two years in an all-girls facility in Macon, Crosswalk piloted a program which encouraged participation in the arts –visual arts, writing music, poetry, and other creative writing. The feedback was most encouraging, as behavior within the facility improved immensely.

It can be lonely for a young person who is locked up. Many incarcerated juveniles have never had the support and direction they needed growing up that might have kept them out of the trouble they are in. That is why local organizations exist to help these troubled teens and also work to prevent others from ever getting in the same situation.

Crosswalk Ministries is one of those organizations at work in Henry County. As executive director Donise Mathis describes it, “Crosswalk exists to reduce juvenile crime and address its underlying causes by providing preventive and aftercare programs for youth at risk and juvenile offenders.”

Visiting local juvenile detention centers, participants share music and skits among other things with the young people and even throw birthday parties. “It’s sad, but many of them have

Through that experience, ArtReach 180 was born. This is a free after-school program in Henry County serving ages 13–17 through the arts. It includes visual arts, drama and photography. Groups meet on Tuesday and Thursday at two locations when school is in session. Young people are referred from Juvenile Court as well as school counselors and community stakeholders. “It’s just a safe place for them to come and master new skills and give back to the community,” said Mathis. “A safe place for them to process those pains they might have gone through. We want to take them from negative expressions of behavior to positive ones.”

A new SportsReach 180 program has also been formed. Crosswalk is always happy to receive donations as well as new volunteers. As Mathis pointed out, for every dollar Crosswalk spends on prevention, the state of Georgia spends $300-plus to incarcerate a young person. So, money given to this cause is well spent.

Contact the organization at 770-957-7153 or visit, www.crosswalkusa.org.