Help Wilmington Delaware Youth Get Back on Track

My Wilmington neighbors agree that to reduce the violence and crime in our city we need to start early, identifying youth at risk; and when some have already started down a wrong path, getting them back on track.

A program for youth through age 18 run by the Wilmington YMCA helps them get Back on Track after being arrested. Back on Track provides preventive education services combined with athletic and camping opportunities to help adjudicated youth understand the nature of their offenses and the impact of their bahavior on their families and community. The purpose of the program is to reduce recidivism and get young people back on track to be law abiding, productive citizens.

Matt Zavala, who graduated from the Back on Track program five years ago, writes,

“I can say it helped me with my life today. Not only am I staying out of trouble, but I’m doing the right thing for me, and for others. People could have some sort of controversy with programs like this saying it’s not going to help, as soon as these kids leave they’ll be trouble makers again. Not necessarily. I’ve been able to take what I learned with me. I’m out of trouble, I made it into a great school where I have been on honor roll since 9th grade. I had a job making good money for my age. Back on Track was able to help me in a lot of ways. I suggest this program to anybody trying to make a change in their life. It’s great, and you’ll have a great time doing it.”

Back on Track provides services throughout the state of Delaware to youth referred by the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services. After receiving participants by referral and intake, Back on Track educates youth in a healthy direction through recreation, group discussions, and community service. During the program youth are given the resources and guidance they need to comply with court ordered directives.

You can help get youth Back on Track! Please contact the program director, Brenda Overton, by filling in the contact form below.  The information is confidential.