Juvenile offenders build Sunnyside home: 'I feel proud'
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SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- A first of its kind partnership between Yakima County's Juvenile Department and Habitat for Humanity is allowing teenagers in trouble with the law to give back to the community.
17-year-old "Ricky" proudly shows off the fruits of his labor; a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home built from scratch.
We can't reveal "Ricky's" full identity because he's a juvenile offender who's been in and out of the court system since he was 13.
Once affiliated with gangs, he's been in trouble for stealing cars and tagging.
"It all started when I didn't have nothing to do," said "Ricky." "So, when kids get bored they do dumb things."
Despite having already completed mandatory community service,
Ricky said he jumped on the opportunity to help build this home for a low-income family.
"It was either do something stupid out in the streets, or do something constructive with my life," said "Ricky."
He got the chance when the Yakima County Juvenile Department teamed up with Habitat for Humanity on a two-month community service project.
Over 50 juvenile offenders helped with the project.
For many it was simply a way to avoid being locked back up for violating probation, but for others it laid a foundation for a life away from crime and gangs.
"Some of these kids, they never had any kind of job skills," said Yakima County Juvenile Corrections Officer Saul Guizar. "They never had a job in their life. By coming and learning some skills, they can go out in the community and put it on their resume."
Skills that 17-year old "Angel" says will help him in the future.
"I feel proud, knowing that I help build this. It makes me feel good. It feels like I did a good thing," said "Angel."
Both Angel and Ricky are two of the only juvenile volunteers who have stuck with the project from the start.
"To have these kids that are not exposed to regular work of any kind and to come and learn a trade; I've just really seen potential for them," said Habitat for Humanity Supervisor Kara Lowe.
The program was developed by Yakima Court Administrator Robyn Berndt. She says this project lays the foundation for the program to grow into much more.
Budget restraints and low staffing make it hard for the juvenile court system to offer programs like this. It’s now looking for grants to expand.
There will be a ceremony to recognize the project's volunteers 3:30pm Friday at 1119 Tacoma Ave. in Sunnyside.
17-year-old "Ricky" proudly shows off the fruits of his labor; a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home built from scratch.
We can't reveal "Ricky's" full identity because he's a juvenile offender who's been in and out of the court system since he was 13.
Once affiliated with gangs, he's been in trouble for stealing cars and tagging.
"It all started when I didn't have nothing to do," said "Ricky." "So, when kids get bored they do dumb things."
Despite having already completed mandatory community service,
Ricky said he jumped on the opportunity to help build this home for a low-income family.
"It was either do something stupid out in the streets, or do something constructive with my life," said "Ricky."
He got the chance when the Yakima County Juvenile Department teamed up with Habitat for Humanity on a two-month community service project.
Over 50 juvenile offenders helped with the project.
For many it was simply a way to avoid being locked back up for violating probation, but for others it laid a foundation for a life away from crime and gangs.
"Some of these kids, they never had any kind of job skills," said Yakima County Juvenile Corrections Officer Saul Guizar. "They never had a job in their life. By coming and learning some skills, they can go out in the community and put it on their resume."
Skills that 17-year old "Angel" says will help him in the future.
"I feel proud, knowing that I help build this. It makes me feel good. It feels like I did a good thing," said "Angel."
Both Angel and Ricky are two of the only juvenile volunteers who have stuck with the project from the start.
"To have these kids that are not exposed to regular work of any kind and to come and learn a trade; I've just really seen potential for them," said Habitat for Humanity Supervisor Kara Lowe.
The program was developed by Yakima Court Administrator Robyn Berndt. She says this project lays the foundation for the program to grow into much more.
Budget restraints and low staffing make it hard for the juvenile court system to offer programs like this. It’s now looking for grants to expand.
There will be a ceremony to recognize the project's volunteers 3:30pm Friday at 1119 Tacoma Ave. in Sunnyside.
