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Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Facility Question and Answers => Topic started by: Che Gookin on April 15, 2010, 09:35:40 PM

Title: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: Che Gookin on April 15, 2010, 09:35:40 PM
http://http://www.georgiawildernessinstitutes.org/Baxley%20Wilderness%20Institute.htm

anything on this place?
Title: Re: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: DannyB II on April 15, 2010, 09:59:51 PM
Quote from: Che Gookin
http://http://www.georgiawildernessinstitutes.org/Baxley%20Wilderness%20Institute.htm

anything on this place?[/quote

 :shamrock:  :shamrock:
They take kids that would otherwise be hanging out in juvie and try to give them something more then what prison would give them.
Danny
Title: Re: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: Che Gookin on April 15, 2010, 10:33:55 PM
Anything more useful than Danny's dribble on this place?
Title: AMIkids, aka AMI (Associated Marine Institutes)
Post by: Ursus on April 15, 2010, 10:54:36 PM
They are part of AMIkids, formerly named Associated Marine Institutes (AMI) - "separating a troubled past from a bright future" - which is based in Tampa, FL.

Their website: http://www.amikids.org/ (http://www.amikids.org/)

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

History (http://http://www.amikids.org/AboutUs/History.aspx)

In 1969, Judge Frank Orlando, a Juvenile Court Judge in Fort Lauderdale, was frustrated at seeing the same young men come before his court time and again. At the time, his only option was to send them to “reform school,” where the kids would stay for a time then end up right back in his court. He knew that if these boys were to turn their lives around, they would need more than to be simply locked away.

Judge Orlando expressed his frustration in an article in the Miami Herald, which was seen by an old friend from high school, Bob Rosof, who was then director of a non-profit organization in Boca Raton, Florida that conducted research with the Marine Science Department of Florida Atlantic University.

Judge Orlando saw an opportunity to send some of the boys he regularly saw in court to work with Mr. Rosof and his staff where they would be given the opportunity to work, and in turn, be rewarded for their efforts and appropriate behavior. Mr. Rosof and his staff acted as role models for the boys and built relationships to help them see a different future than the one they saw in their past.

With the help of Florida Senator Louis de la Parte and Ollie Keller, the original non-profit transitioned into the first AMIkids program, Florida Ocean Science Institute in Boca Raton, FL, whose focus became changing the lives of troubled kids. Beginning a revolution in juvenile justice programming, AMIkids offered an alternative for youths who may have otherwise been caught in the downward spiral of incarceration. By getting a second chance, a new direction and a guiding hand, the troubled kids were now able to work their way into a world of opportunity.

As a direct result of the efforts of Judge Orlando and Mr. Rosof, AMIkids has helped more than 95,000 misguided kids redirect their lives to develop into responsible, productive citizens. Today, AMIkids offers five different types of programs to troubled youth throughout Florida as well as in Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Louisiana, Texas, Illinois and Pennsylvania.
   

AMIkids | 5915 Benjamin Center Drive | Tampa, FL 33634 | Direct: 813.887.3300 | Fax: 813.889.8092
Title: AMIkids - Founding Fathers
Post by: Ursus on April 16, 2010, 12:21:14 AM
Founding Fathers (http://http://www.amikids.org/AboutUs/FoundingFathers1.aspx)

Name: Bob Rosof
Title: Former President, Florida Ocean Sciences Institute; Former CEO, AMIkids

AMIkids' two founding fathers, Judge Frank Orlando and Bob Rosof, met in high school and continued as fraternity brothers in college. Serving as a Juvenile Court Judge in Fort Lauderdale in 1969, Judge Orlando was frustrated with the juvenile justice system and called upon Bob to find a possible solution. Bob was managing a marine research program for Florida Atlantic University and Judge Orlando asked Bob if he could send some juvenile offenders to work with his marine biologists to learn responsibility and accountability. Bob agreed and one month later, called Judge Orlando and asked for six more teens.

From this arrangement, the first AMIkids program, Florida Ocean Science Institute, opened in Boca Raton, FL. and Bob served as President. In 1970, he became the first CEO of AMI (now AMIkids).

In addition, Bob developed a program to accept donations of boats from the general public to be used by AMIkids and share a learning opportunity with AMIkids' students. For example, the Unicorn, 140-foot ship that needed to be refurbished, was donated to Florida Ocean Science Institute. The students rebuilt the ship, used it as a training vessel and participated in races to Bermuda and New York. The Unicorn was even featured in the movie, "Roots," and staff acted as extras in the film.

Bob instilled the values of AMI:  providing incentives when making right choices, being held accountable, and working hard then fun – which encourages self confidence and shows kids that a good future is available without crime.  

--------------

Name: Judge Frank A. Orlando
Title: Director, Center for the Study of Youth Policy, Nova Southeastern University
   
In 1969, the year AMIkids was created, Judge Orlando was Commissioner of the Office of Youth Development and Delinquency Prevention, U.S., Department of Health, Education and Welfare and he played a major part in the opening of the first AMIkids program in Boca Raton, FL. and continuing to expand the program. He is considered an expert in juvenile justice issues and lectures extensively on the issues facing staff and students alike.

Judge Orlando currently serves as the Director of the Center for the Study of Youth Policy at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center and he works primarily as a Technical Assistance Provider and Team Leader to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's National Juvenile Detention Alternatives Project. He also serves on the Florida Bar's Permanent Committee on The Legal Needs of Children.

Serving as a Florida Circuit Court judge for 21 years, his primary assignments were in the juvenile and family law divisions where he developed and supervised the court-connected mediation program. For 20 years, Judge Orlando was a member of the Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee. He has served as the Chair of the Florida Delegation to the White House Conference on Families, President of the National Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Chair of the Florida Legislative Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force and Chair of the Florida Supreme Court Mediation Training and Standards Commission.

Judge Orlando holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida. Judge Orlando has been honored with a number of awards, including the American Bar Association Livingston Hall Justice Award, Florida Council on Crime and Delinquency Distinguished Service Award and National Coalition for Juvenile Justice A.L. Carlisle Child Advocacy Award.

 --------------

Name: Louis A. de la Parte
Title: Former President of the Florida Senate

Louis A. de la Parte (Lou), distinguished Tampa lawyer and former President of the Florida Senate and Member of the Florida House of Representatives was known as an extraordinary public servant and champion of those without a voice.

During his tenure in the legislature, 1962-1974, he had the vision and authored the legislation that created the Department of Health & Rehabilitative Service (HRS), a half-way house for juvenile delinquents, and the Division of Youth Services. He was responsible for the state funding of AMIkids' first program, Florida Ocean Sciences Institute. He was instrumental in expanding the program to additional Florida communities. Mr. de la Parte had many appointments to include member of the Florida Supreme Court Commission Studying Racial and Ethnic Bias, the Governor's Social Service Task Force, Chairman of the Governor's Task Force on Mental Health, and the Governor's Commission for Government by the People, and was actively involved in many other public service projects.

He was revered for the progressive way he viewed government and the law, and he deeply respected the system's power to make a difference in people's lives. After leaving the legislature he founded the firm of de la Parte and Assoc. now de la Parte & Gilbert, which is still in existence.

Lou was born on July 27, 1929 in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida. He graduated from Jesuit High School in Tampa in 1946. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Emory University in 1950, and in 1967 his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Florida. From 1953 until 1956, Lou served in the Air Force, Judge Advocate General's Corps, reaching the rank of captain.

--------------

Name: Ollie J. Keller
Title: Former Director of the Division of Youth Services

Ollie dedicated more than 50 years to helping troubled youth, beginning his crusade in community service as a radio broadcaster in Illinois.

Following his passion for assisting young people who were in trouble, he moved into government positions responsible for helping juveniles. Ollie became Chairman of the Illinois Youth Commission, President of the Springfield Board of Education and founder of the Boys Farm, a residential program for boys and alternative to state correction facilities.

He then served as Director of the Florida Division of Youth Services and was appointed as Secretary of the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. As Director of the Division of Youth Services, he supported the vision of working with juvenile offenders in community-based settings rather than locking them up in institutions. Along with Judge Frank Orlando, Bob Rosof and Senator Louis de la Parte, Ollie was one of the founding fathers of AMI (now AMIkids).

After teaching criminal justice at the University of Florida, Ollie was appointed by President Jimmy Carter as the Parole Commissioner for the Southeastern United States. He also served on the Parole Commission's National Appeals Board and as President of the National Association of State Juvenile Delinquency Program Administrators.

After retirement, he continued his work on alternative sentencing for juveniles. Ollie was one of the founders of the Georgia Wilderness Institute, an AMIkids program, and essential in raising funds for to develop the Savannah River Challenge Program in Georgia, another AMIkids program. He also co-authored a book entitled Halfway Houses: Community-Centered Corrections & Treatment. Ollie received many awards and recognition, including the Alive Award as founder of the Georgia Wilderness Institute.

He received a B.A. from Williams College in 1947 and M.A. in sociology from Northern Illinois University in 1965. He from 1943 to 1946 and from 1950 to 1951. During WWII, he served as a U.S. Navy navigator on an LST carrier in the Pacific, and again during the Korean War.
Title: AMIkids - Locations
Post by: Ursus on April 16, 2010, 10:52:11 AM
My guess is this is one of those private juvenile corrections facilities at the heart of it. AMIkids states that they are a non-profit, but ... in these kinds of cases, especially when it comes to juvie corrections, the administrators usually make at least six-figure salaries with plenty o' perks. I s'pose some might say that's not equivalent to much these days, but it is not exactly a vow of poverty either.

Perhaps it was started with the best of intentions, and perhaps ... once upon a time, when some of the original founders were more integrally involved, the dream was still young, and it was far far smaller ... that may have been the case, more or less. Maybe not. It's hard to tell from company histories. They always tell the tale so glowingly.

At any rate, AMIkids is about 50-51 facilities strong now. Not so small. Some of their programs are quite different from one another, are essentially mini-fiefdoms unto themselves with some core principles retained. And some of their programs are not residential, which is always a good thing to hear. However, two of their programs are under contract to the Texas Youth Commission and, not surprisingly, there are some pretty hairy abuse reports which have circulated re. those places. And they've experienced some difficulty in some other states; Arkansas comes to mind from what I read through briefly last night but don't quote me on that. Haven't yet come across something 'bout their three Georgia facilities.

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

AMIkids Locations (http://http://www.amikids.org/Locations.aspx)

AMIkids Headquarters - Tampa, FL

AMIkids Boat Program (http://http://amikids.org/donateyourboat.aspx) - St. Petersburg, FL

Florida
Illinois
Georgia
Louisiana
South Carolina
Texas
Virginia
Title: Re: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: Anne Bonney on April 16, 2010, 11:13:17 AM
When I was a kid our next door neighbor worked as a scuba instructor for one of the FL facilities.  It was basically teaching kids marine mechanics and other marine technical skills.  It was a good place to get your boat hauled out and a bottom job done inexpensively.  All male, out-patient and pretty tame, from what I remember of the couple of visits there.  The guys mostly had long hair and smoked cigarettes (things that never would've been tolerated in most programs. The time period I'm familiar with was during the '70s.), they had tutors there teaching high school courses to help them get their diploma.  There was a pool table/game room for down time, no 'therapy' sessions but the instructors were there if the kids needed someone to talk to.  The emphasis was more on learning a trade skill than 'character education'.  It seemed to work pretty well, back then at least.  I have no idea what they're like now.
Title: Re: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: DannyB II on April 16, 2010, 05:39:08 PM
Quote from: "Che Gookin"
Anything more useful than Danny's dribble on this place?


 :shamrock:  :shamrock:
 
Like I said it is a place for juvie's to learn a trade, check out a dude by the name of Clem Clausen, freind of mine works there. Dribble, I talk about things I really know about unlike you and your buddy Ursus who think throwing "copies and paste" up on the wall to see if it sticks, is a great past time.
All that that your buddy posted is great, he can copy and post with the best.  

Danny
Title: Re: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: DannyB II on April 16, 2010, 06:07:30 PM
:shamrock:  :shamrock:
 
DannyBII spoke:
So I could assume that everything below is strictly all your opinion and as usual so slanted it makes one wonder.

:shamrock:  :shamrock:

 
Ursus spoke:
My guess is this is one of those private juvenile corrections facilities at the heart of it. AMIkids states that they are a non-profit, but ... in these kinds of cases, especially when it comes to juvie corrections, the administrators usually make at least six-figure salaries with plenty o' perks. I s'pose some might say that's not equivalent to much these days, but it is not exactly a vow of poverty either.

Perhaps it was started with the best of intentions, and perhaps ... once upon a time, when some of the original founders were more integrally involved, the dream was still young, and it was far far smaller ... that may have been the case, more or less. Maybe not. It's hard to tell from company histories. They always tell the tale so glowingly.

At any rate, AMIkids is about 50-51 facilities strong now. Not so small. Some of their programs are quite different from one another, are essentially mini-fiefdoms unto themselves with some core principles retained. And some of their programs are not residential, which is always a good thing to hear. However, two of their programs are under contract to the Texas Youth Commission and, not surprisingly, there are some pretty hairy abuse reports which have circulated re. those places. And they've experienced some difficulty in some other states; Arkansas comes to mind from what I read through briefly last night but don't quote me on that. Haven't yet come across something 'bout their three Georgia facilities.

 :shamrock:  :shamrock:

Danny BII spoke: I can assume everything your "reporting on here" is all fact because it came from a credible source. My man Ursus, the copy and pastier man.
If you could only keep your two cents out of this and stick to facts. Wow, what a artricle it would make.

 :shamrock:  :shamrock:

 
Ursus posts:

AMIkids Headquarters - Tampa, FL

AMIkids Boat Program - St. Petersburg, FL

Florida

    * AMIkids Big Cypress - Ochopee
    * AMIkids Crossroads - Punta Gorda
    * AMIkids Emerald Coast - Fort Walton Beach
    * AMIkids Family Therapy - Lake City
    * AMIkids Gainesville - Gainesville
    * AMIkids Greater Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale
    * AMIkids Infinity Brevard - 2 campuses; Cocoa & Titusville
    * AMIkids Infinity Sarasota - Sarasota
    * AMIkids Jacksonville - Jacksonville
    * AMIkids Last Chance Ranch - Venus
    * AMIkids Manatee County - Bradenton
    * AMIkids Miami-Dade, North Campus - North Miami Beach
    * AMIkids Miami-Dade, South Campus - Miami
    * AMIkids Orlando - Apopka
    * AMIkids Palm Beach - Juno Beach
    * AMIkids Panama City - Panama City
    * AMIkids Pasco - New Port Richey
    * AMIkids Pensacola - Pensacola
    * AMIkids Pinellas - St. Pete Beach
    * AMIkids Polk - Lakeland
    * AMIkids Sarasota County - Venice
    * AMIkids Southwest Florida - Fort Myers Beach
    * AMIkids Space Coast - Melbourne
    * AMIkids Tallahassee - Tallahassee
    * AMIkids Tampa - Tampa
    * AMIkids Volusia - Daytona Beach
    * AMIkids West Florida - Bonifay
    * AMIkids WINGS South Florida - Miami
    * AMIkids Y.E.S. - Wimauma

Illinois

    * AMIkids Infinity Chicago - Chicago

Georgia

    * AMIkids Baxley Wilderness - Baxley
    * AMIkids Middle Georgia - Cochran
    * AMIkids Savannah River - Sylvania

Louisiana

    * AMIkids Acadiana - Branch
    * AMIkids Alexandria - Alexandria
    * AMIkids Baton Rouge - Baton Rouge
    * AMIkids Bayou Region - Raceland
    * AMIkids Donaldsonville - Donaldsonville
    * AMIkids Jefferson - Harvey
    * AMIkids Red River - Bossier City
    * AMIkids Northeast Louisiana - Tallulah
    * AMIkids Southwest Louisiana - Lake Charles

South Carolina

    * AMIkids Beaufort - Seabrook
    * AMIkids Bennettsville - Bennettsville
    * AMIkids Georgetown - Georgetown
    * AMIkids Infinity Marlboro - Bennettsville
    * AMIkids Inifinity Newberry - Newberry
    * AMIkids Piedmont - Clinton
    * AMIkids Sand Hills - Patrick
    * AMIkids White Pines - Jonesville

Texas

    * AMIkid Rio Grande Valley - Los Fresnos
    * AMIkids WINGS Texas - Marion

Virginia

    * AMIkids Norfolk - Norfolk
    * AMIkids Peninsula - Newport News
    * AMIkids Virginia Wilderness - Oakwood
Title: Re: AMIkids - Locations
Post by: Whooter on April 16, 2010, 07:13:34 PM
Quote from: "Ursus"
My guess is this is one of those private juvenile corrections facilities at the heart of it. AMIkids states that they are a non-profit, but ... in these kinds of cases, especially when it comes to juvie corrections, the administrators usually make at least six-figure salaries with plenty o' perks. I s'pose some might say that's not equivalent to much these days, but it is not exactly a vow of poverty either.

Perhaps it was started with the best of intentions, and perhaps ... once upon a time, when some of the original founders were more integrally involved, the dream was still young, and it was far far smaller ... that may have been the case, more or less. Maybe not. It's hard to tell from company histories. They always tell the tale so glowingly.

Non-Profit Companies are required to put excess profits towards their goals and not distribute them to stockholders or the founders.  The money goes towards future preservation of the company.  In the early 60’s, 70’s and 80’s  the majority of these non-profits were depending on volunteers to supply the man power to run them.  Some even up to the President took very little salary.  But they began to lose good help in the late 1980’s and could not compete with for-profit organizations so they started to compensate their employees in an effort to stay in business.  So since then many of the non-profit upper echelon have enjoyed handsome salaries and bonuses which attracted the types of people needed to steer the ship and keep it afloat.
So, yes, the employees do make a profit and some of the upper management do very well but this was a move that had to be done to keep the non profits from going under.  

Also coinciding with this drop off…..The 80’s generation was one of entitlement with little desire to help others without being compensated for their effort.  They contributed very little of their time or net income to charities.  Things have not improved very much since then.



...
Title: Re: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: Che Gookin on April 16, 2010, 08:17:23 PM
Hmm, none of this is jiving with the information I have. I'm most interested in their Georgia Wilderness camp, but the entire expanded AMI culture of light boat repairs and shit is of interest as well. Reminds me of outward bound in Florida who went from long term treking with kids on a more or less voluntary basis to adjudicated youth. I remember one of them dying in an Outward bound trek as well.

Once I develop my source more, and it is groovy for me to reveal more information, I'll do so.

Though the whole AMI connection in florida explains some things to me.
Title: the changing nature of the non-profit sector
Post by: Ursus on April 16, 2010, 09:22:53 PM
Quote from: "Whooter"
Quote from: "Ursus"
My guess is this is one of those private juvenile corrections facilities at the heart of it. AMIkids states that they are a non-profit, but ... in these kinds of cases, especially when it comes to juvie corrections, the administrators usually make at least six-figure salaries with plenty o' perks. I s'pose some might say that's not equivalent to much these days, but it is not exactly a vow of poverty either.

Perhaps it was started with the best of intentions, and perhaps ... once upon a time, when some of the original founders were more integrally involved, the dream was still young, and it was far far smaller ... that may have been the case, more or less. Maybe not. It's hard to tell from company histories. They always tell the tale so glowingly.
Non-Profit Companies are required to put excess profits towards their goals and not distribute them to stockholders or the founders.  The money goes towards future preservation of the company.  In the early 60’s, 70’s and 80’s  the majority of these non-profits were depending on volunteers to supply the man power to run them.  Some even up to the President took very little salary.  But they began to lose good help in the late 1980’s and could not compete with for-profit organizations so they started to compensate their employees in an effort to stay in business.  So since then many of the non-profit upper echelon have enjoyed handsome salaries and bonuses which attracted the types of people needed to steer the ship and keep it afloat.
So, yes, the employees do make a profit and some of the upper management do very well but this was a move that had to be done to keep the non profits from going under.  

Also coinciding with this drop off…..The 80’s generation was one of entitlement with little desire to help others without being compensated for their effort.  They contributed very little of their time or net income to charities.  Things have not improved very much since then.
I imagine that the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (aka the Welfare Reform Act) ... may have altered that landscape as well, at least in the human services subsector.

See also:

Title: Re: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: Anne Bonney on April 19, 2010, 10:49:00 AM
Quote from: "DannyB II"
Like I said it is a place for juvie's to learn a trade, check out a dude by the name of Clem Clausen, freind of mine works there. Dribble, I talk about things I really know about unlike you and your buddy Ursus who think throwing "copies and paste" up on the wall to see if it sticks, is a great past time.
All that that your buddy posted is great, he can copy and post with the best.  

Danny

It's called sourcing.   Ya know....backing up what you say with facts?  You should try it sometime.
Title: Re: learning a trade at AMIkids
Post by: Ursus on April 19, 2010, 11:21:45 AM
Quote from: "DannyB II"
Like I said it is a place for juvie's to learn a trade...
Perhaps that's what you were thinking of when you said "give them something more then what prison would give them," but, in fact, you never actually said anything about them learning a trade.  ;)  

In fact, it was Anne Bonney who should get credit for bringing that up.

Here are Anne's comments (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=30285&p=361877#p361778) once again, specific to the issue of kids learning a trade at AMIkids:

When I was a kid our next door neighbor worked as a scuba instructor for one of the FL facilities. It was basically teaching kids marine mechanics and other marine technical skills. It was a good place to get your boat hauled out and a bottom job done inexpensively. All male, out-patient and pretty tame, from what I remember of the couple of visits there. The guys mostly had long hair and smoked cigarettes (things that never would've been tolerated in most programs. The time period I'm familiar with was during the '70s.), they had tutors there teaching high school courses to help them get their diploma. There was a pool table/game room for down time, no 'therapy' sessions but the instructors were there if the kids needed someone to talk to. The emphasis was more on learning a trade skill than 'character education'. It seemed to work pretty well, back then at least. I have no idea what they're like now.[/list]
Title: Dallas News - abuse reports on TYC contract facilities
Post by: Ursus on April 19, 2010, 11:24:53 AM
Quote from: "DannyB II"
They take kids that would otherwise be hanging out in juvie and try to give them something more then what prison would give them.
Danny
Hmm. Gotta wonder just what that "something more" was in the following abuse incidents summarized on the Dallas News website. Of pertinence to this thread are two facilities owned and/or run by AMIkids that the Texas Youth Commission contracts out to. It should be noted that they are not the worst in this collection; however, they are there.

I assume each paragraph is taken from a different abuse report.

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

Mistreatments at TYC Contract facilities (http://http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/graphics/0707/privatenarratives/)
Abuse allegations for private contract facilities 2000-2006

Incident descriptions from confirmed abuse reports

Since 1974, TYC has contracted with private facilities to house its inmates. Over the years, contract facilities also have provided specialized services not available at TYC prisons. Operators include small locally owned businesses, county governments, nonprofits and large corporations. The descriptions listed for each facility are a sample from actual TYC records. Some contain graphic language...

Title: Re: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: DannyB II on April 19, 2010, 06:45:21 PM
Quote from: "Anne Bonney"
Quote from: "DannyB II"
Like I said it is a place for juvie's to learn a trade, check out a dude by the name of Clem Clausen, freind of mine works there. Dribble, I talk about things I really know about unlike you and your buddy Ursus who think throwing "copies and paste" up on the wall to see if it sticks, is a great past time.
All that that your buddy posted is great, he can copy and post with the best.  

Danny

It's called sourcing.   Ya know....backing up what you say with facts?  You should try it sometime.

 :shamrock:  :shamrock:
If you read my posts you would see that I don't necessarily have to back up, I sit and talk with a good friend who works with these programs I mentioned his name, there is another program called "The Extension" which takes from the same pool when they get closer the their release time.
Like I told Che, I speak when I absolutely know what I am talking about not when I read something on google, then give my opinion.
Anne your ignorance is beginning to become legendary on fornits, keep it up girl. I think I hear whooter calling you, I love when you try to match wits and intellect with him, you are clearly out of your league and you always get mad at him and then start calling him names.

Danny
Title: Re: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: kirstin on April 19, 2010, 07:17:07 PM
Quote
If you read my posts you would see that I don't necessarily have to back up, I sit and talk with a good friend who works with these programs I mentioned his name, there is another program called "The Extension" which takes from the same pool when they get closer the their release time.  Like I told Che, I speak when I absolutely know what I am talking about not when I read something on google, then give my opinion.

Anne your ignorance is beginning to become legendary of fornits, keep it up girl. I think I hear whooter calling you, I love when you try to match wits and intellect with him, you are clearly out of your league and you always get mad at him and then start calling him names.

Danny

People Danny will try to poison our minds using communist mind control techniques he deems "therapeutic" for vulnerable juveniles.  

*Book of Bill chapter 25 verse 9
Title: Georgia Wilderness Institutes
Post by: Ursus on April 19, 2010, 09:46:22 PM
Quote from: "Che Gookin"
Hmm, none of this is jiving with the information I have. I'm most interested in their Georgia Wilderness camp, but the entire expanded AMI culture of light boat repairs and shit is of interest as well. Reminds me of outward bound in Florida who went from long term treking with kids on a more or less voluntary basis to adjudicated youth. I remember one of them dying in an Outward bound trek as well.

Once I develop my source more, and it is groovy for me to reveal more information, I'll do so.

Though the whole AMI connection in florida explains some things to me.
Well... here is the main site for AMIkids' Georgian facilities. Note that they actually mention William Glasser's Reality Therapy in the description:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

WELCOME TO THE GEORGIA WILDERNESS INSTITUTES (http://http://www.georgiawildernessinstitutes.org/)

Mission

To redirect troubled youth, prevent recidivism and develop responsible, productive citizens through a disciplined learning environment.

Georgia Wilderness Institutes and its programs are part of the Associated Marine Institutes (AMI).  AMI is a not-for-profit organization providing rehabilitative services for youth since its inception in 1969.

Georgia Wilderness Institutes is a non profit organization dedicated to helping young offenders in the State of Georgia to become productive citizens. The Georgia Wilderness Institutes operates three facilities, two of which are six month residential programs and one of which is a sixty day program, in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice to provide academics, outdoors and life skills training.  The Georgia Wilderness Institutes uses William Glasser's behavior modification philosophy to teach responsibility for ones own choices in life.

YOUTH GUIDANCE · EDUCATION · CHARACTER BUILDING
Title: Re: Georgia Wilderness Institutes (facilities)
Post by: Ursus on April 20, 2010, 11:03:05 AM
There are, at present, three facilities which comprise Georgia Wilderness Institute. I believe Baxley is the oldest of them (?20 years):

BWI (Baxley Wilderness Institute)
MGWI (Middle Georgia Wilderness Institute)
SRCP (Savannah River Challenge Program)[/list]

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

Baxley Wilderness Institute (http://http://www.georgiawildernessinstitutes.org/Baxley%20Wilderness%20Institute.htm)

Jamie Grover
Executive Director
Baxley Wilderness Institute
1510 Deen's Landing Road
Baxley, Georgia 31513
(912) 367-3383
(912) 267-3407 (fax)
[email protected] (http://mailto:[email protected])

Middle Georgia Wilderness Institute (MGWI) is one of three facilities operated by the Georgia Wilderness Institutes. MGWI is located in Cochran, Georgia and was opened on April 4, 1995. The facility is designed for a capacity of 52 youth. The average length of stay at MGWI is six months, with an additional six months of aftercare once the youth is returned home.

The average cost per day/per case at MGWI is:


For a total average cost per day of $62. This amounts to a 32% savings when compared to other State institutions for youthful offenders. (The average cost per day for State institutions, including aftercare, is $94).

The school at MGWI has a strong academic component. MGWI has had 25 students graduate, and has a 100% favorable placement for those youths in jobs, school or military service.

Community service is important to the youth at MGWI. The students at MGWI perform thousands of hours of community service each year. Some examples of the types of community service projects include:


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Savannah River Challenge Program (http://http://www.georgiawildernessinstitutes.org/Savannah%20River%20Challenge%20Program.htm)

Wade Goss
Savannah River Challenge Program
Post Office Box 1683
626 Old River Road
Sylvania, Georgia 30467
(912) 829-5300
(912) 829-5316 (fax)
[email protected]

The Savannah River Challenge Program (SRCP) is one of three programs the Georgia Wilderness Institutes operates to serve delinquent youth. Georgia Wilderness Institutes is part of the Associated Marine Institutes (AMI), a Florida-based non-profit organization that has been providing outstanding rehabilitative and educational services to youthful offenders for over 30 years. AMI is currently in seven states and has served over 50,000 young people.

The SRCP was created at the request of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The State's "boot camps" had not been successful, and because of threatened lawsuits, DJJ signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the United States Department of Justice. In contrast to the "boot camp" regimen, the 60-day program at SRCP places its heaviest emphasis on education. The young men attend class 7 days a week. Most of the boys are between the ages of 14 and 18. Minority groups form the largest segment of the student body.

The SRCP is located in Screven County, Georgia, on a 150 acre campus outside Sylvania. SRCP began serving young men on July 1, 2001, in temporary facilities. The permanent buildings were completed in December of 2001. The SRCP reached full enrollment, of 150, in January of 2002. In order to maintain the GWI formula of small groups, the boys are housed in three independent camps of 50 each. The camps are essentially self-contained, with their own school, dormitories, vocational shop, dining room and recreational areas.

Students at SRCP participate in a core curriculum of academics, behavior modification and life skills. Schooling is intense, with much individual instruction and use of computers. Control over the students is maintained, not by fences and razor wire, but by close interaction with staff. GWI believes that this new model is producing an outcome very different from that associated with large, impersonal institutions.
Title: Re: Georgia Wilderness Institutes, Georgia Senate Resolution
Post by: Ursus on April 20, 2010, 03:42:21 PM
Georgia General Assembly
HR 911 - Georgia Wilderness Institutes; commend (http://http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2001_02/sum/hr911.htm)

Byrd, Roger (D-170)    Lane, Bob (D-146)    Barnard, Terry (R-154)  Coleman, Terry (D-142)       
HC:    SC:    01/30/2002 House Read and Adopted

First Reader Summary
Code Sections Amended
Bill History
Date    01/30/2002
Action House Read and Adopted[/list][/list]
Versions

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Georgia General Assembly
02 LC 8 4880

House Resolution 911
By: Representatives Byrd of the 170th, Lane of the 146th, Barnard of the 154th and Coleman of the 142nd

A RESOLUTION (http://http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2001_02/fulltext/hr911.htm)

Recognizing and commending the Georgia Wilderness Institutes; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Georgia Wilderness Institutes (GWI) provide educational services on a nonprofit basis for at-risk and delinquent youth through a partnership with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice; and

WHEREAS, GWI seeks to redirect troubled youth through a program that focuses on the completion of high school with continuing education goals and balances the educational core with experiences that instill discipline, respect, and responsibility among youth; and

WHEREAS, GWI operates facilities in Appling, Bleckley, and Screven Counties and serves youth from the entire State of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, students at each of the GWI facilities perform thousands of hours of community service work, making their communities a better place to live and work, and at the same time, learn valuable lessons about giving back to the community; and

WHEREAS, successful redirection of troubled youth requires special emphasis in the areas of prevention and intervention plus the support of the law enforcement agencies, local business and community organizations, the legislature, and other state agencies; and

WHEREAS, the confidence of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice in the program of the Georgia Wilderness Institutes is demonstrated by the number of boys entrusted by the department to its care, growing from 50 boys a year in 1991 to 720 boys at present; and

WHEREAS, the investment of resources in the Georgia Wilderness Institutes has a positive return on our tax dollars as youth who were tax users are converted into taxpayers.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that this body commends the Georgia Wilderness Institutes and urges the support and participation of all to prevent juvenile crime.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia Wilderness Institutes.
Title: Re: Baxley Wilderness
Post by: Che Gookin on April 20, 2010, 07:57:32 PM
My information is developing, this place is definitely of interest to me now. Will be doing my best to dig deeper. Something is not right about it, not at all right.
Title: Georgia Wilderness Institutes and Ollie Keller
Post by: Ursus on April 22, 2010, 10:43:05 AM
Quote from: "Che Gookin"
My information is developing, this place is definitely of interest to me now. Will be doing my best to dig deeper. Something is not right about it, not at all right.
The very existence of the Georgia Wilderness Institutes is very much tied to original AMIkids founder Ollie Keller, who is politically more than well-connected. Keller used to head the Illinois Youth Commission and later the Florida Division of Youth Services. While he was still in Illinois, Keller also founded the Boys Farm, a "residential program for boys and alternative to state correction facilities."
Title: Oliver Keller
Post by: Ursus on April 22, 2010, 09:58:06 PM
Oliver J. Keller passed away not too long ago; a few obituaries follow... This first one is from Georgia Battlefields, an organization he was involved with for some time:

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March 2008
http://www.georgiabattlefields.org (http://www.georgiabattlefields.org)
GEORGIA  BATTLEFIELDS
Published by Georgia Battlefields Association, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to preservation of Georgia's Civil War history and sites. Contact newsletter editor by e-mail: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro ... _0217.html (http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/obits/stories/2008/02/16/keller_0217.html).

A memorial service was held on 25 February at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta.

Send condolences to the Keller family at 1150 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta GA 30327.

Send donations in Olly's memory to:

Olly's preservation and humanitarian work has been recognized with several awards, but many of his efforts were behind the scenes, and his contributions are incalculable. We have lost a great leader, mentor, and friend.


# #
Title: Re: Oliver Keller
Post by: Ursus on April 23, 2010, 12:34:11 AM
And here's another obituary, this one from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

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ATLANTA
Oliver James Keller, 84, followed Lincoln's steps as justice advocate (http://http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/obits/stories/2008/02/16/keller_0217.html)
By DREW JUBERA
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/17/08

Oliver James Keller Jr., "definitely a Union man" in the words of a fellow Civil War buff, devoted much of his time and wide-ranging intellect to preserving Georgia battle sites.

"He had a strong belief in the justice of the Northern cause," said Henry Howell, a member of the Georgia Battlefields Association, of which Mr. Keller was a founder. "His greatest hero was Abraham Lincoln, and some are not surprised he departed this world on Lincoln's birthday. He admired Lincoln's sense of justice."
 
Mr. Keller died Feb. 12 at age 84 from heart failure. He broke a hip in January when he fell while attending a meeting of the Atlanta Civil War Round Table. That night's topic: Lincoln.

Yet Mr. Keller's sense of justice went far beyond Civil War history. He was a powerful advocate for issues related to juvenile offenders, as well as affordable housing.

He was a founder of the Georgia Wilderness Institute, a nonprofit organization that provides alternatives to incarceration for young offenders. In 1973, he was appointed Florida's secretary of Health and Rehabilitative Services.

"Our country is very shortsighted when dealing with juvenile offenders," Mr. Keller wrote in a letter to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1999. He'd moved to Atlanta after President Carter appointed him to the U.S. Parole Commission.

"Instead of spending tax dollars for prevention and alternative punishments, we ignore the danger signs until a crime has occurred," Mr. Keller continued. "Prevention programs work."

At 6 feet 4 inches tall, with a stentorian voice, Mr. Keller was at once a commanding and personable presence. Raised in Pittsburgh, where his father was editor of the Post-Gazette, Mr. Keller visited Gettysburg as a teenager and it "just blew his mind," said his wife of 56 years, Joan Dixon Keller. He later memorized the Gettysburg Address and kept a copy over his desk.

"He believed that you understand what happened at a site better if you can actually see the ground," said Charles Crawford, president of the Georgia Battlefields Association. "He believed it makes you a better citizen if you understand your own history."

His own wartime experiences came during two stints in the Navy.

He was navigator of an LST carrier in the Pacific during World War II and the Korean War.

His bachelor's degree from Williams College was completed between those wars.

Mr. Keller then worked at a Springfield, Ill., radio station his father bought. He became a disc jockey, among other duties, and was known on-air as "OJ the DJ."

He helped troubled teens who came by, many of them listeners, and founded a residential facility for at-risk kids. The governor appointed him chairman of the Illinois Youth Commission.

Among his other passions: jazz piano and 1939 Cadillacs. "He was never greatly skilled," his wife allowed, "but he got pleasure playing one great song after another."

Mr. Keller is also survived by daughters Alison Townsend of Barrington, R.I., and Louisa Paige of Boston; a brother, Daniel Keller, of Davis, Calif., and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta.


© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Title: Rutledge Youth Foundation
Post by: Ursus on April 24, 2010, 10:56:21 AM
From a previous post (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=30285#p361733):
Quote
Following his passion for assisting young people who were in trouble, he moved into government positions responsible for helping juveniles. Ollie became Chairman of the Illinois Youth Commission, President of the Springfield Board of Education and founder of the Boys Farm, a residential program for boys and alternative to state correction facilities.
The Illinois residential program for boys that Oliver Keller helped found, then known as Boys Farm, is now known as Rutledge Youth Foundation.

 From their 'About Us' page:

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About Rutledge Youth Foundation (http://http://www.rutledgeyouthfoundation.com/about_us_2.html)

Our Mission Statement: To assist abused and neglected youth in becoming productive, independent members of society.

Rutledge Youth Foundation was Founded in 1952 as Boy's Farm.

The Agency began when a group of prominent citizens, headed by O. J. Keller, Jr., decided that there needed to be a place in the Springfield area that was an alternative to the Department of Corrections for teens who were experiencing minor problems with the Law. While visiting a boys school in the Chicago area Mr. Keller met Mr. Martin Willard, who later became the first superintendent at Boys Farm in 1952.

After its establishment in Buffalo, Illinois, Boys Farm quickly grew from serving 8 boys to serving 16.

In 1979, the Agency Board of Directors moved the Agency to Springfield and began serving both boys and girls. Since then, the services offered by the Agency have changed to meet the growing needs in the community.  The same traditional values taught to the boys at Boys Farm are still being taught to the youth at Rutledge Youth Foundation.  The primary focus of services is protecting youth and teaching adolescent boys and girls independent living skills so that they become productive members of society.

The Rutledge Youth Foundation serves approximately 300 abused/neglected teens annually between the ages of 0 and 21.  The services provided to these teens as well as the ways in which you can become involved with the Agency are detailed further on this Web Site.
Title: AMIkids - Big Cypress Wilderness Institute in news
Post by: Ursus on January 05, 2012, 12:04:22 AM
Another AMIkids facility currently in the news: