Welcome to Cecil Partnerships for Children, Youth and Families

Matthew* enrolled in the Bridges Detour offered by Youth Services Agency program in January 2004.  A high school junior, he had continuous behavioral problems and was failing all his classes.  Matthew also needed to make some progress towards improving his home life.  Matthew’s parents were very interested in the Detour program and hoped it would help him get back on the right path.  They were concerned if he did not turn his life around, he would begin to set a bad example for his two younger stepbrothers.

Matthew was very interested in the Detour program and looked forward to making improvements in his life.  Some of the goals he set for himself were to improve his grades and to retain a job.  Detour provided him with anger management classes through Family Services Association and tutoring was offered each week.   Matthew consistently attended both activities and showed improvement.

At school, Matthew’s guidance counselor noted an improvement in his behavior and grades.  At the end of the third marking period Matthew was on the honor roll (A- in Technology, A in US History, B in English 11, and an A in Music).  Matthew joined a volunteer fire company where he was training to be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).  He was also volunteering with the Detour program as a mentor and tutor for an elementary student.

            At the age of 17, Matthew started to work toward a career path as an EMT and graduating from high school.  Proud of his accomplishments, Detour will continue to support Matthew in all his future endeavors.  Matthew is one of two youth who represented Youth Services Agency at the National Youth Employment Coalition's Youth Advocacy Day in Washington D.C. on September 15, 2004.  As a member of the youth panel, he had a chance to question representatives from the Bush and Kerry campaigns as well as participate in other activities.  

 * Name changed

In September of 2003, a quiet, withdrawn boy had just been released from the Carter Center and was on electronic monitoring. As part of his probation, Frank* was required to complete 100 community service hours. Frank lacked any kind of a support system and came from a household where domestic violence and substance abuse was a daily occurrence. Frank also used and sold marijuana and crack-cocaine. After two more arrests and being evicted from their home, Frank realized that his life was going in a downward spiral.

Through the Bridges program, Youth Services Agency offered him the opportunity to complete his community service hours at Elk Neck State Park, Fair Hill Nature Center and our local Goodwill. Frank attended five sessions of GED classes over an eight-month span at Youth Services before passing his practice exam. After completing his community service hours, Frank was released from electronic monitoring. Frank obtained his birth certificate, received his learners’ permit and completed driver’s education. Job Readiness and Computer Literacy were also completed at the Bridges program.

In addition to his struggles, Frank¹s mother was incarcerated, their home and his car was vandalized. His brother and sister were sent to live with their fathers. Frank¹s biological father would not allow him to come to his home in New York. Child Protective Services stepped in after a Bridges case manager made a report and he was placed in foster care.

Since then, Frank remained drug free. In December Frank obtained his Maryland High School Diploma and is planning to take the test for his drivers license. While in a stable home, he has gained social skills and an obvious self-confidence. Frank has managed to accomplish many of his goals through the support of Bridges and his foster family. He has achieved part-time employment and Frank is now awaiting his ASFAB test in order to enlist with the United States Army. Frank also volunteers a lot of his time with the Foster Family Association. During a short time in this program he has emerged a successful young man.

*Name changed