While Marissa Woodmansee is grateful for a federal grant that was recently awarded to Juvenile Services (JS), she can’t help but be concerned for the future of Barton County Youth Crew and its many projects.
As JS executive director, Woodmansee is relieved that the one-year, $125,000 grant “allows us to continue the great work my colleagues have done during the past five years.”
This is the sixth year of this Drug Free Communities grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Health and Human Services. It has been the same amount each year.
“Nevertheless, because there is a lot of uncertainty about future funding, changes have already been made,” Woodmansee said. “And there will probably be more to come.”
One recent change is that Tyler Morton, JS prevention advocate and Youth Crew organizer, is now part-time.
“Tyler, along with the rest of us, didn’t know until late September if the grant would come through,” Woodmansee explained. “He accepted a full-time job, which I am glad to say will overlap somewhat with Youth Crew efforts.”
He is the new prevention specialist at the Rice County Child Advocacy Center. Rice County is one of the five counties in the JS 20th Judicial District.
Some other gaps will be filled with the help of Amy Ferguson, Rise Up Central Kansas program coordinator.
“Amy has already made important contributions, such as helping with the Great Bend High School Haunted Hall,” Woodmansee noted. “She plans to continue this support of young people as they participate in community projects.
“Amy also wants to enhance our connections with our great community partners,” she added. “We need sustainability for Youth Crew, which not only supports its members but also the whole community.”
For example, Youth Crew has participated in projects such as the Family Crisis Center Fall Festival; mental-health awareness events; Barton County school programs; hosting the Youth Leaders in Kansas conference; clean-up and gardening efforts; Trail of Lights; Easter egg hunts; United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign; fundraising events; Ellinwood After Harvest Festival; and Ellinwood Elementary End-of-Year Carnival.
“These are just some examples of Youth Crew’s wide-ranging reach and volunteerism,” Woodmansee said. “Each project allows opportunities to enhance young people’s leadership and public-speaking skills, while they support their neighbors. In addition, they use their voices to have an impact on local and area residents, as well as our local legislators in Topeka.”
Tyler Morton
Tyler Morton is willing to continue with Youth Crew because “I believe in the work we do and the people behind the work. Marissa and I, with the invaluable help of our colleagues and the community, have been diligent in bringing Youth Crew to the success it is today.
“We have been afforded countless opportunities to collaborate, innovate and make a real difference. Our list of accomplishments is extensive. We have done this with young people who have essentially grown up in Youth Crew.”
While those members are nearing adulthood, those in middle school and high school are beginning to participate.
“These young people are being afforded new opportunities during a time in their lives when they face greater peer pressure and more responsibilities – everything that comes with growing up.
“Equally important, we have strengthened the message that a majority of our youth are not involved in substance use. With that in mind, another goal is to equip them to have peer-to-peer conversations about being physically and mentally healthy.”
Morton emphasized that Youth Crew activities affect young people not only today but also into adulthood.
“These are the people who will lead our communities in the not-so-distant future,” he explained. “Youth Crew is an investment that we can’t just walk away from, which is why most of our leadership team has been involved for several years.”
Morton also noted that Ferguson, in her Rise Up role, is helping him ensure smooth transitions. She was part of the original group that started Youth Crew.
“I am thankful that Amy is coming back with lots of enthusiasm and great ideas. She is helping with current projects and strives to engage more youth, while continuing to build the program.”
20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake & Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.
