Texas Department of Criminal Justice
10:58 PM CDT on Monday, June 7, 2010
By Kim Horner/The Dallas Morning News
Big Brothers Big Sisters has received a $3 million grant to create a mentoring program for youths who are considered at risk of ending up in prison, officials announced Monday.
The Caruth Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Initiative will match 1,000 Dallas County youths to specially trained mentors and social workers.
An independent evaluator will study whether participants improve their grades and school attendance – all while staying out of trouble.
The program is being made possible through the W.W. Caruth Jr. Foundation of the Communities Foundation of Texas.
"The focus will be on helping the children achieve their potential and be productive citizens, which leads to improved public safety for all of us," said Charles Pierson, president and chief executive officer of the local Big Brothers Big Sisters.
He said volunteer mentors are still needed.
For more information, contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at www.bbbstx.org or call (214) 441-2227.