During the past year, BAMSI, in collaboration with the Brockton Juvenile Court, developed a program aimed at helping court-involved youth acquire reading and writing skills. The Read to Succeed program helps these teenagers develop the basic reading and writing skills that allow them to move forward in their lives.

Youth are referred to the program by judges and/or probation officers, who have seen these youth in their courtrooms. Many of these teenagers do not possess the most basic reading and writing skills, and many are unable to even sign their own name.

Once the youth joins Read to Succeed, they are taught by Deb Partain, who is a former teacher and currently a staff member at BAMSI’s Home Based Team program. Deb is assisted by Mike Lonergan, who is a supervisor with the Home Based Team.

Recognizing that every youth in the program is an individual and each is at a different reading level, lessons are individualized to allow each student to achieve the maximum benefit during their time in the program.

Read to Succeed is currently in its third 12-week session. Although the program currently serves only young men, plans are in place to expand the program in the future to include classes for females as well.

Response from the families, court staff, and BAMSI employees has been positive. At each graduation ceremony, youth are invited to present examples of their work to families, friends, and staff who are in attendance.

Connections are made that extend beyond the program itself. One youth has recently returned to the program staff to ask for assistance in completing applications for college!