The Mobile County Youth Advocate Program trains advocates who are familiar with the local area to help non-violent juvenile offenders turn away from drugs and crime. The advocates work with youth and parents to improve family and peer relationships, teach them the dangers of drugs and crime and act as a positive example of how good decisions can benefit their lives.

“Positive guidance is essential to helping wayward youth make better choices,” Bentley said. “I commend the program for steering children away from a life of crime and toward a brighter future.”

According to the Mobile Juvenile Circuit Court Judge Edmond Naman, 75-80 percent of youths detained by the Department of Youth Services committed more crimes upon release, but, only 20 percent of program participants have been charged with other crimes since it began in 2009.

Program officials said they plan to place 20 or more area juveniles into the program in the coming year. Advocates keep track of all juveniles’ progress to assess the program’s effectiveness during the youth’s time in the program and after completion.

Bentley awarded the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Justice Department. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the award.

Bentley informed Merceria Ludgood, president of the County Commission, that the grant had been approved.

Contact: Russell Sellers, Larry Childers