Alex - Ohio Department of Youth Services - Blog 1

Today was my first day at the Ohio Department of Youth Services. It was absolutely amazing, and I can only imagine what the week could have in store. The staff we encountered felt like a giant family, who welcomed us with open and loving arms. The kids were just as great, although they have gone down a different path of life; they were just as excited to see us, as we were to see them. The best part about the youth we encountered that day, was the fact that they were open and completely honest with us. That day was spent at Scioto Youth Correctional Facility, one that is set to close in May. Scioto is the only facility to house girls, on the state level; they are all to be moved to private prisons, other programs, or the county facilities. We met one of the most quotable women to this date. Her name was Ms. Baker. She was the volunteer coordinator. Whatever came out of her mouth was either hilarious, or extremely deep and meaningful. One of her quotes echoed in my ears that day. It was in relation to the types of people trying to volunteer at the facility. She said, “ All sorts of ministries wanted to come in and preach but I just ask them, ‘What are you going to do to show them what the world can be like? What are you going to do to show them a different side of the world? You will have your time to testify, but they don’t need that. What are you gonna do to impact their lives?’”. It was just something in her voice that was so raw. Its not that she wasn’t a spiritual women, you could tell she would, but she saw that its not preaching that these girls needed, it was one on one interactions, attentions, friendships, and positive relationships. Ms. Baker also told us that 20 years ago she had no idea that children were locked up. She told us that her best friend growing up’s Dad was the juvenile judge and she had no idea he had the power to lock a kid up. The units where they house the kids are cold and concrete. They have thick heavy doors. Everything locks in the facility. It’s like a college campus with giant fences all around. We met one girl whose story was absolutely amazing. I don’t think I could do her justice by trying to retell it. She was a girl who grew up in and out of the system. She was a phenomenal artist, and her work was all over the facility. Its heart breaking to know that this facility that was her home, her family, was being shut down. It’s a bittersweet thing. You could tell that between the staff and youth it was a special place. It’s been a unique place and it was cool that we got to go and see it before it was shut down, and it was nice to interact with the girls at Scioto. We got to play volleyball with the majority of the girls left and lets just say, no rule, KU vs. Scioto. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen and all of us spent more time laughing than actually playing. They became our friends, and we hadn’t even know them a day. They all ended up at the state correctional facility for whatever, but they were real and genuine people, they are just walking a different path of life. That’s about all I have for tonight, tomorrow a 3-hour drive to Indian River for a day of volunteering at a different facility. Hopefully it will be as great as today!