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Serving the Youth and Families of LaPorte County for over 50 years!
The Youth Service Bureau of LaPorte County opened in 1972 and continues to provide programs with goals of delinquency prevention, youth development and advocacy, child abuse prevention, and connecting youth to caring adults. Teen Court, School Buddies, and Kids on the Block, and Safe Place are the YSB’s current programs.
School Buddies
School Buddies strives to make a positive difference in the lives of young people through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with caring adults. School Buddies is meant to enhance a child’s self-esteem, help build confidence, and encourage the child to realize his/her true potential. This program is simple to get involved with and can make a huge difference in a child’s life. It all starts with a phone call or an e-mail.
School Buddies is one-to-one mentoring that takes place in the schools. This is one hour a week during the school day and this meeting takes place on school grounds. During match visits, a Big Buddy can help a Little Buddy with homework, talk about their school day, play a game or even eat lunch!
Kids on the Block established in 1986
Kids on the Block is a child abuse and sexual abuse prevention program. A scripted puppet presentation is offered to all second grade classrooms in La Porte County in a non-threatening format. Children are taught how to identify abuse, what to do if it happens, and to tell an adult they trust.
Teen Court established in 1987
Teen Court is a delinquency prevention and diversion program for students who commit an offense that could result in an arrest, but instead, are referred to the Teen Court program. A jury of volunteers (6th through 12th-grade students) sentences the offenders to constructive sanctions meant to hold them responsible for their actions.
Safe Place established in 2020
Safe Place provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. As a community initiative, the program designates schools, fire stations, libraries, and other youth-friendly organizations as Safe Place locations, which display the yellow and black sign.