– Dr. Bill Bruinsma, Executive Director,
Thomas N. Frederick Juvenile Justice System

Hope for Teens in the Center of South Bend
Each week, over 75 children and teens are referred to the St. Joseph County Probate Court. For some, this is because they have engaged in criminal activities like substance abuse or theft. But for many, the referral comes as a way to keep children off of the downtown streets and provide them with a temporary safe place where they can get the structure in their lives that they so desperately need, and a subsequent foster home.

Located in the heart of downtown South Bend on South Michigan Street, the Thomas N. Frederick Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) is committed to helping children, teens, and their families. The center provides a safe environment where teens that have been arrested and received court-ordered detention at the center go through a process that has the potential to transform their lives.

When a child or teen is court-ordered to detention at the JJC, they are assigned a cell and a program that is appropriate for their treatment and/or rehabilitation. Each attends school at the JJC taught by South Bend Community School Corporation instructors. In addition, all students are required to complete specific responsibilities, and learn to accept others who often come from very different backgrounds. The children and teens have structure and staff that will listen to their concerns, and who challenge them to develop and maintain behaviors that are appropriate and healthy, behaviors that foster respect for other teens – and for themselves.

The Redefined Family
The center can serve as a turning point for many children and teens that often come from broken homes, homes where they have experienced sexual abuse and violence, and homes where substance abuse is present. But for many, the JJC quickly becomes their home. In fact, one volunteer said that she believes many times those that are released from the center make an effort to get back to detention at the JJC - back to the only real family and structure they may have ever known. “The kids have real relational problems on every level because, often, deep love needs are not being met by the parents,” says Chaplain Laura Wiebe-Powell. “There are also many good parents here as well, but often there is brokenness.”

Once the children and teens are at the center, however, many seek assistance from Wiebe-Powell, asking about God. Chaplain Laura believes that, “There is a real spiritual hunger in these kids. For many of them, God is the only thing they have ever been able to choose.” She says that being in the center often these teens begin to see an aspect of God’s presence with us they never considered in their lives. Dr. Bill Bruinsma, Executive Director for the center, adds that the children frequently ask, “‘Where’s God in the midst of all the bad things that have happened to me?’ Kids question why there’s not food in their house, and why there is sexual abuse and violence in their house. It’s no wonder kids are angry.”

The Great Commission
Bruinsma believes that the local church community can be the bridge Jesus intended by stepping up to make a difference in the lives of these children and teens – both while they are at the center and as they return home. “We need the local church to do its part. The churches need to be known to the family and the kids. And we are grateful to those who are already doing their part.” Currently members of 25 churches in the Michiana area volunteer at the center, ministering, performing special programs and dramas, and leading praise and worship services that impact these young lives for Christ.

And it makes a difference. Bruinsma recalls one prayer service during his tenure in Logansport, Indiana, in which 90 boys listened intently during a Sunday service. At the end, one young man who had come from a very tough life raised his hand and asked if he could pray for the needs of his family and for the boys at the school. “All of the boys began to cry. And these were not soft young men.” And, at one meeting at the JJC in South Bend, a man who was formerly incarcerated, now an elder at a church, came in with a message of encouragement. Says Sean Coleman, Assistant Director of Detention, of this elder’s message, “After this meeting, there were no major incidents for the next week. The JJC was peaceful the whole time.”

Bruinsma says that once a child or teen is released, past patterns can be hard to break, and teens without the proper support often fall back into past lifestyles and destructive habits. And he believes that is where the local church community can be of great service. Says Bruinsma, “If we don’t support the core – the family – then we’re spinning our wheels.” Wiebe-Powell adds, “If a pastor and church get behind these families, the time when they leave the JJC is the most important part. On the outside [of the JJC] who is there for them? There’s nothing out there for them but the environment that they came to the JJC from.”

How you can help
There are many ways you and your church can help the children and teens at the Juvenile Justice Center. Volunteers are required to complete a religious volunteer application, which includes a mandatory background check, drug screening, references, and a one-time mandatory training workshop. To volunteer, contact Sean Coleman, Assistant Director of Detention, at (574) 235-5389.

Here are just a few ways you can change the lives of young adults at the JJC.

Get involved monthly with the children and teens at the JJC by visiting them, reading the Bible with them, showing them the love of Christ, and meeting them where they are at in an effort to encourage them to see themselves as Christ sees them.

Perform a drama at the JJC. While churches are encouraged to come regularly and spend time with the teens, a one-time event such as a special Christian performance is also greatly appreciated. One volunteer performed a drama called “The Innkeeper” and Bruinsma says the impact of even one event can be significant. “The kids remember - and they may show up at your church.”

Create a church small group dedicated to volunteering at the JJC. This is a great way to make a consistent impact through mentoring a youth, and even providing support for the youth once he or she is released from the JJC.

Adopt a family at your church. By building a relationship with a teen during their detention, and maintaining that relationship with the youth and their family after the youth leaves the JJC, you and your church will be doing the work Christ called the church to do – practicing the ministry of reconciliation.

Create awareness of the mission field at the JJC, by inviting Chaplain Laura Wiebe-Powell to speak at your church. She will provide information and encouragement on what the young adults really need from the church. She may be contacted at (574) 850-3146.

Donate Bibles and materials. Bruinsma suggests donating The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene H. Peterson. One local church donated these Bibles to the JJC last year, and it was a blessing to the children. For many, it was their first touch with God, and it was easy for them to understand God’s message of love in this specific Bible translation.

Pray for the young adults at the JJC. And pray that laborers will come to help them experience Jesus. But remember that faith is action, and it’s critical to take the opportunity to use your faith personally to touch these lives. Bruinsma says, “Don’t forget us – this is the mission field. And all faiths are allowed to come in.” If the Body of Christ doesn’t visit, they may never know Jesus. And we are accountable for what we know.

Pray for current JJC community partners. Many organizations richly bless the JJC, including the Holy Cross sisters who fund the half time chaplain position, the 25 local churches currently volunteering, the Gideons who bring Bibles in, and Calvary Temple who donated Hispanic Bibles recently. Says Bruinsma, “We are very appreciative of those who have helped us.”

Learn more about the “Parenting Your Out of Control Teenager” six-week program offered at he JJC for $20. For so many parents, parenting children is a significant challenge, and one that, if not supported by experienced professionals, could result in additional children at the JJC. For more information on this very important course, please contact the Director of Detention at (574) 235-5444. While this course spans six weeks, the parents are encouraged to continue to attend after the course completion, which provides a support network for their growth.