DYRS eN ewsletter

September 7, 2017

Positive Staff
Community Engagement
Development
Community Engagement
Positive Youth
Development
Family Empowerment

Event Calendar

9/9 - DCPS Back to School Block

Party, Ron Brown College
Preparatory High School, 4800
Meade St. NE, 11 am-1 pm

9/11-9/15 - DYRS Provider

Conference/Training, Thurgood
Marshall Center, 1816 12th St. NW

9/21 - Rosh Hashanah

9/23 - Maya Angelou Academy A Coastal View

Open House, New Beginnings,
8400 River Rd., Laurel, MD, 11 am
9/26 - Carl's Cars
Grand Opening/ Ribbon Cutting,
New Beginnings, 8400 River Rd.,
Laurel, MD, 11:30 am-1:30 pm
Positive Staff
Development
On Thursday August 31, Youth Services
Center (YSC) Deputy Superintendent
Shawn Dowell hosted visitors from the San
Diego County Probation Department on the
divisions third tour of YSC. The group -
comprised of department leaders, case
management staff, child advocates and
legal professionals - found particular
interest in the functionality and structure of YSCs medical and education
departments. They also asked questions about the facilitys Intake
process and Token Economy program. The tour concluded in a sit down
luncheon with DYRS Director Clinton Lacey and Deputy Director of
Secure Programs Willie Fullilove, in which the guests acknowledged and
complimented YSCs practices and expressed interest in implementing
similar programming in San Diego.

A Meeting of Mentors
Credible Messengers, seasoned
and new, joined together in a
meeting of the mentors at a
Credible Messenger Boot
camp September 3 through 8. The actual opening of the unit, to this one year milestone. Recitations of
mentors spent an intense week
with a different focus each day,
including understanding their role in
the movement, how to help each
other grow, how to develop a
curriculum, and how to facilitate.
They also participated in restorative
justice circles, shared personal
stories, discussed crucial topics
such as boundaries and
accountability, and listened as
veteran mentors provided insight
based on their learned
experiences. The boot camp
serves to enhance best practices in
DYRS' Credible Messenger
Initiative to ensure the best
treatment for youth under the
agency's care.
Stay Ready Snapshot
Positive Youth Development
It's About the Journey
On Tuesday, August 29, New Beginnings Youth Development Center
hosted the one year anniversary of Journey, the 10-bed girls unit that the
agency implemented last year in an effort to keep girls closer to home.
Young women and staff reflected on the journey they had been on - from
when DYRS Director Clinton Lacey made it a priority to ensure female
youth options in an environment as close to home as possible, to the
poems, singing, and dancing filled the afternoon as members of DYRS
executive team, managers, vendors, and stakeholders in the young
womens lives exhibited gratitude for this hope turned into reality.
Back into the Swing
of Things
Youth considered Level 5 and
Level 6 (in the community reentry
phase) at New Beginnings ended
their summer with a team-building
activity at Terrapin Adventures,
an outdoor adventure park in
Maryland. The facilitys
recreational staff and Youth Development Representatives supported the
young people as they participated in the High Ropes Course, the Giant
Swing, and the Terrapin Tower, courageously scaling all 12 routes up and
down the 43 foot high climbing tower.
Family Empowerment
 DYRS invests in its staff through providing
opportunities like the Stay Ready 2017
Conference, where renowned motivational
speaker/trainer Dr. Eric Thomas pushed his
audience to commit to goals, make
necessary changes, and stay ready in life!

Social Media Snapshot

No Hesitation at Visitation
On Sunday, August 28, the New Beginnings Family Engagement Team
put a spin on normal visitation hours by hosting family games and
activities. Young people and their loved ones thoroughly enjoyed the
afternoon, which ended with family photos. New Beginnings looks forward
to its next Family Engagement event the Maya Angelou Academy Open
House on Saturday, September 23.
DYRS Director Clinton Lacey makes a
cameo in a film that highlights stopping
human trafficking.

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