The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Foundation is a nonprofit 501c3 organization, established in September 2009, with the primary goal "to raise funds for programs for center residents that cannot be funded with taxpayer dollars." The Foundation is governed by a board of directors comprised of community leaders and business professionals who volunteer their services.

 

The JTDC Foundation is essential to improving the quality of life for its residents. Historically juvenile detention has operated in isolation and the community was kept at arms length. The foundation by its very nature bridges  the community and the Juvenile Detention Center; through its leadership, vision and resources, it offers an important avenue of opportunities with the community's most at risk youth.

 

With the success of programs, funding and youth thriving and flourishing within the facility the Board of Directors realized youth needed continual support once released back to their communities. In July 2013 the  Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Foundation broaden its mission to provide community-based resources and positive opportunities when youth return to their communities as productive violence free citizens.

 

During its first two-years, the JTDC Foundation worked closely with the Acting Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director/Division Resident Daily Life of the JTDC to identify and raise the money to fill the gap for services and activities that promoted the positive thoughts and actions of court-involved youth while at the facility. Annually, JTDC Foundation supported facility-based services and activities while serving nearly 6800 court-involved youth.

 

 

In response to the high rates of recidivism among court-involved youth, the JTDC Foundation expanded its intervention efforts beyond the detention center’s walls and into the community. Today, the JTDC Foundation is focused like a laser on providing court-involved youth with the education, skills and resources needed for them to successfully return and remain in their homes and communities as productive citizens.

 

FACT CHECK

 

  • On any given day, the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center  houses between 250 to 325, mostly African American, young minority males and females, ages 12-18.
  • Recidivism rates are high. Some estimates are as high as 50%.
  • Youth arrested for drug-offenses, the recidivism rate is even higher. More than 95% are re-arrested within 3-years.

Each time a youth goes into detention, even if just one day, the chance of him or her being detained increase!

Why we are needed.

 

The JTDC Foundation fosters community involvement in the lives of youth in detention. Additionally we strive to raise public awareness of the challenges faced by the youth while supporting  the therapeutic goals of the JTDC with respect and without judgment.

“ I believe that children are God's gift that life will continue. I Also believe that there is a moral imperative for us in leadership roles to take care the least of thee. We must leave something why not goodness and support for our children and families.”

 

 

Leonard Dixon, Superintendent for Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center

Leonard Dixon, Superintendent for Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center

"The JTDC Foundation is essential to an improved quality of life for residents of the JTDC. Historically  juvenile detention has operated in isolation and the community has was kept at arm’s length. The Foundation, by its very nature, bridges the community and the JTDC and through its leadership, vision and resources, offers an important avenue of opportunity for the communities’ most at-risk youth."

 

Earl L. Dunlap, Transitional Administrator

What We Achieve

 

On average, more than 250 court-involved youth benefit daily from JTDCF supported programs and services.

 

 

“As the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center we are charged with the responsibility of working with some of the most emotionally charged-under privileged-high risk youth in the County of Cook, mainly from Chicago.  Our youth have limited exposure to life outside of the four corners of their communities.  The JTDC Foundation is a life raft for  youth housed at our detention center.

 

In order to make a meaningful impact in the lives of each juvenile, we must expose them to life beyond their particular communities.  We must expose them to a different way of thinking, a different way to view the world, a different skill set to handle what  life brings.  The JTDC Foundation helps provide the JTDC the ability to impact the life of each youth within its walls.”

 

W. Steward, Deputy Executive Director

Cook County Juvenile Detention Resident Daily Life

 

 

W. Steward, Deputy Executive Director  Cook County Juvenile Detention Resident Daily Life

Leonard Dixon, Superintendent for Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center
W. Steward, Deputy Executive Director  Cook County Juvenile Detention Resident Daily Life

W. Steward, Deputy Executive Director  Cook County Juvenile Detention Resident Daily Life

Leonard Dixon, Superintendent for Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center
W. Steward, Deputy Executive Director  Cook County Juvenile Detention Resident Daily Life

Leonard Dixon, Superintendent for Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center
W. Steward, Deputy Executive Director  Cook County Juvenile Detention Resident Daily Life