Budget cuts are forcing closure of the Sierra Youth Center for girls, but the same cuts will not affect the larger center for boys. Don't we wish to offer troubled girls the same opportunities as boys?
Members of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors have continued to encourage and support this exemplary program. All, including Supervisor Valerie Brown, have advocated finding ways to provide girls with a fresh start. Providing equal opportunities for boys and girls was highlighted twice by recent grand juries.
To close the girls' residential program now while maintaining a program for boys directly violates common sense and the supervisors' recommendations.
The challenge: The program is scheduled to be closed within 60 days because of budget cuts. A number of alternatives have been considered, but none is being recommended to the Board of Supervisors.
Some of the girls will exit the program early, but others will be returned to Juvenile Hall. All future girls will remain in Juvenile Hall or be sent to out-of-county placements, an expensive alternative.
One girl completed her certified nurses assistant training and then passed her state boards. Another completed high school and began studying auto mechanics at Santa Rosa Junior College. All of the girls learned about small business management by selling Community Supported Agriculture baskets through their garden/culinary arts program, in addition to Girl Scout leadership training. They trained assistance dogs, secured employment before their release and learned to make better choices for themselves.
A three-year study showed that only 3 percent of the girls in the Sierra Youth Center program reoffended and returned to Juvenile Hall.
With supportive staff and amazing community participation (Luther Burbank Garden Club, Santa Rosa and Petaluma Garden Clubs, Oakmont Kiwanis, Valley of the Moon Rotary, several church and PEO groups), the girls learned that the community encourages and celebrates their success.
What can you do? Call, email and/or write to your county supervisor immediately. Explain that you want this successful residential program for troubled girls to continue.
Why should girls be treated as second-class citizens in this county that believes in equality?
Sonoma County can be proud of its dedication to youth, as demonstrated by creating the Valley of the Moon Children's Center. We need to continue this tradition by maintaining programs for delinquent girls and boys in Sonoma County. We want to be able to celebrate with our successful girls.
Caroline Keller, a Santa Rosa resident, is a retired school administrator who serves on the Sierra Youth Center Advisory Board.
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