Whittier : Boot Camp Gets $300,000 Grant
A boot camp program for juvenile offenders will receive $300,000 in federal funds to expand job counseling for its graduates.
Since October, 15 cadets have been in the military-style program at the Fred C. Nelles School, which is operated by the California Youth Authority. The participants, ages 16 to 21, take part in marching drills, flag-raisings, substance-abuse counseling and classes.
The Youth Authority will hire job counselors to help the cadets find work when they graduate in January, said Tony Cimarusti, assistant director.
The one-year grant also will pay for job counselors at the state’s other boot camp program near Sacramento. In addition, the funds will pay a full-time California National Guard captain to help coordinate activities at the two boot camps.
When they graduate, cadets are placed on six months’ parole. At Nelles, 15 cadets are added each month until the program has 60 participants.
Youth Authority officials hope that the programs will instill responsibility and respect in young men who have been placed in custody for nonviolent offenses such as drugs, burglary and parole violations. Each cadet volunteered for the four-month program in exchange for a shortened sentence.
Each of the boot camps is operated on a $500,000 annual budget of state and federal funds.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
