Change Inc. and Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center Project
- Katie Pope
- Aug 18
- 2 min read
Through a collaboration with Hennepin County DOCCR (Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation), Change Inc. is providing enrichment programming for youth residents of the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) throughout August.
In learning more about JDC programs, Change Inc. developed a new Camp Healthy Minds program. Camp Healthy Minds is grounded in The Healthy Mind Platter and is the framework for the camp sessions. These seven daily activities promote mindful qualities such as resilience, reflection, perseverance, and flexibility. Participants will be given a Certificate of Completion which documents learning objectives completed and number of hours of engagement. This Certificate of Completion can be submitted to a participant’s homeschool for inclusion of elective credit on their transcript.
The team just wrapped up week one and both residents (referred to as “campers”) and staff (“camp counselors”) have been very positive and engaged. Change Inc.’s team are enjoying working with the youth and feel they can make a difference in their lives, even within a short timeframe.
“JDC is obviously no easy experience for any young person who finds themselves there; boredom, strict routine, uncertainty and stress related to both internal and external circumstances may be expressed in different ways. In thinking about the weight of all that for campers, it’s been nice to hear a comment or two like “this gives me something different to do with my time,” and my favorite comment “I’m going to take this home with me and put it on my wall,” from a camper talking about a self exploration art activity from day one. I’m enjoying the thought that we’re providing a positive experience for campers to take away from an inherently difficult chapter of life.”
-Chris Lawler, School-Based Mental Health Therapist and “Camp Counselor”
“Working with the campers has been a humbling experience. To know that these young people are essentially locked up and restricted, and to see them with so much hope, is great to see.”
-David Pearson, Community Cultural Specialist Supervisor and “Camp Counselor”
"Working with the campers in the JDC program has been a powerful experience. My hope is that, through this program, we’ve been able to offer the support, care, and encouragement they need to choose a different path forward."
-Mona Abuhussein, School-Based Mental Health Therapist and “Camp Counselor”
"I do not know what these teenagers did to get there, but from first impressions and how they act in the classrooms, they are not bad people or dangers to society. They act like regular teenagers. I think some of the campers have mismanaged emotions and need more guidance in their lives. They need someone to treat them without judgment and listen to their needs."
-Cynthia Pierre, AmeriCorps Intern and "Camp Counselor"