Andy De Jesus' first arrest came after he stole a car at age 12. Five years, three felonies and two months in jail later, De Jesus is fighting to free himself from the justice system in which he has become captive.
Two years ago, when he was 16 and facing substantial prison time on robbery and gun charges, De Jesus turned to Empowered Youth for help.
The five-year-old program is the brainchild of Colleen Adams, who began to volunteer at the Miami-Dade County Juvenile Detention Center after reading a newspaper story about incarcerated juveniles. Her work at the center evolved into a weekly in-detention program aimed at helping the juveniles after they are released.
Adams said teens build tough personalities to survive on the street. Empowered Youth tries to build character by focusing on 28 traits, among them kindness, integrity and honesty.
The success of the program prompted the creation of Empowered Youth Neighborhood in March 2009.
With money from the taxpayer-funded Children's Trust of Miami-Dade County, the program offers juvenile ex-offenders support and mentoring with the aim of helping reduce the chances they would return to crime.
Offenders are referred to Empowered Youth Neighborhood by other programs, the state attorney's office and the public defender. If they attend Monday- and Wednesday evening sessions and graduate, their charges may be reduced or dropped.
Thus far, 20 young men have graduated from the program and only one has re-offended.
But the funding apparently was a one-time allocation. The Children's Trust faces a severe revenue decline this year and Empowered Youth Neighborhood did not get another grant. Adams keeps it going, though, providing dinner or lunch at meetings and transportation for those who need it.
De Jesus had one of the longest criminal rap sheets among program participants.
Two years ago, at age 16, he faced charges of strong-armed robbery, armed robbery and possession of a concealed firearm. A judge sentenced him to two months in jail and a year's probation and ordered him to enter the Empowered Youth Neighborhood program. He graduated and now works as a program mentor.
But De Jesus' commitment to redirecting his future doesn't overshadow his history. Already kicked out of 14 schools, he said he now cannot find a high school willing to accept him.
De Jesus is hoping for a career in the arts.
She is planning to commit her time and money to the boys of Empowered Youth Neighborhood, asking only one thing in return: a commitment to change.
"I'm like a soccer mom on steroids," she said.
Deborah Souverain may be contacted at dsouv001@fiu.edu.