For many underprivileged kids, learning how to spread their
wings and reach their goals is something less than a dream
– it’s simply unrealistic. But a local program, Fresh Lifelines
for Youth, or FLY, is attempting to make those impossible dreams a
reality by helping the county’s youth to become more responsible
and capable of making healthy lifestyle choices, according to local
lawyer Chenoa Summers.
Hollister – For many underprivileged kids, learning how to spread their wings and reach their goals is something less than a dream – it’s simply unrealistic. But a local program, Fresh Lifelines for Youth, or FLY, is attempting to make those impossible dreams a reality by helping the county’s youth to become more responsible and capable of making healthy lifestyle choices, according to local lawyer Chenoa Summers.
Summers first got involved with the program in San Jose after hearing about it during a juvenile delinquency seminar. Working with disadvantaged youth through her law practice, and being a mother herself, Summers recognized the impact a program such as FLY could have on local youth – especially at-risk teens and those susceptible to gang life, she said.
“All I did was sit in a room with a young person who had flushed their life down the toilet and didn’t know why. I wanted to do some prevention,” Summers said. “Kids that I’ve worked with have turned their lives around through this program.”
Summers first brought the program to San Benito County in 2003, via a contract with the San Benito County Probation Department, she said.
Facilitators worked with teens involved in the department’s early intervention program and taught a 13-week course in law-related education and other pertinent life skills, said Chief Probation Officer Deborah Botts. Youth were educated about sexual activity, how to deal with police officers and the in’s and out’s of a court hearing, among other topics.
However, the probation department’s funding was cut last year and it had to discontinue its contract with FLY, Botts said.
Botts said probation is hoping to contract again with FLY if the economy picks up and it is allotted extra funding from the federal government.
“Information is always really valuable, but first and foremost is the relationship the kids form with the people conducting the program,” Botts said. “There’s not a lot of positive role models willing to spend time with at-risk youth. They are accepted and not judged.”
After FLY’s funding was cut in San Benito County, Summers generated enough money through fund-raising efforts to start two programs, called Legal Eagles and Law for Your Life, through some local schools. She has worked with students at Pinnacles Community School, San Andreas School, Rancho San Justo Middle School and San Benito High School. While she is only allotted one hour a week for eight weeks with the two spin-off programs, she is hoping to raise enough money to have a full-fledged FLY program in the county sometime in the future.
Summers believes that if the community takes an interest in its youth, it can help reduce juvenile crime, curb the burgeoning gang problem and more important, change a child’s life.
“They want that caring adult who respects them and who they can respect. These kids are looking to have that good self-esteem and for somebody to take their hand and say, ‘I’ll show you the way,'” she said. “It’s not every kid, but every child you reach, that’s a win.”
For more information, to volunteer or donate, contact Chenoa Summers at (831) 637-9723, or at Ch****@fl********.org.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
