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Press Release - Wednesday, December 11, 2002DuPage County Bar Foundation
Presents $2,500 Grant WHEATON, Illinois - The DuPage County Bar Foundation presented a $2,500 grant to the Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts of America in recognition of its support for the Juvenile Diversion Program, which helps reduce teen crime and violence throughout DuPage County. The presentation was made at the Wilton Manor, Friday, Dec. 6, during the DuPage County Bar Association's holiday party. "These funds are an expression of the heartfelt thanks of the more than 2,000 members of the DuPage County Bar Association and our many supporters," said DuPage County Bar Foundation President James F. McCluskey. "Since 1997, the Three Fires Council has been instrumental in the proven success of the Juvenile Diversion Program, which has measurably reduced the level of teen crime and violence in DuPage County through early intervention." For the past five years, the Three Fires Council has coordinated the Juvenile Diversion Program. In partnership with DuPage County government and leadership volunteers from the DuPage Bar, more than 250 teens ages 13-17 have been instructed on how to avoid becoming repeat offenders by helping them build key life skills through real-life experiences and volunteer service. DuPage County estimates that each youth who successfully completes the program saves taxpayers up to $35,000 in court, probation and detention costs. "We greatly appreciate the support of the DuPage Bar in our mission to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes," said Eric Gardner, one of two Diversion Executives for Three Fires Council, which administers Scouting programs in DuPage, Kane, DeKalb and Kendall counties. According to Diversion Executive Richard Dennis, "The Juvenile Diversion Program is highly effective in assisting at-risk teens as soon as they encounter the judicial system. As the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, the Boy Scouts is ideally suited to help keep first-time offenders from becoming repeat offenders." DuPage County's Juvenile Diversion Program is based on a similar one in Omaha, Nebraska. The program was introduced to Illinois via a partnership with the DuPage Bar, county officials and the Boy Scouts of America Three Fires Council. With an approximate 75 percent success rate (non-recidivism), the DuPage County Juvenile Diversion Program is considerably more effective than most other types of juvenile intervention programs in the country which, according to experts, have a 15 to 25 percent success rate. About the DCBF -- The DuPage County Bar Foundation (DCBF) is a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization primarily funded by DuPage Bar members and supporters. Its mission is to assist DuPage County Bar Association members and their families, as well as preserve and promote the integrity of the legal profession for the public benefit. |
