Beaumont police partners with Southeast Texas organization to tackle juvenile crime
BEAUMONT — The Beaumont Police Department began its partnership with Inspire, Encourage, Achieve five years ago in order to make a difference in the life of juveniles that are currently in the Minnie Rogers Juvenile Justice Center.
There are 15 mentors that meet weekly with the juveniles to show them a positive outlook on life and help them believe in themselves.
Kim Phelan with IEA says, "They work with the kids in detention and also when they get out and are on probation, and the mission of IEA is to help the youth successfully complete their probation."
According to the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, there are 216 juveniles on probation in Jefferson County.
Joe Evans, an intervention specialist with IEA, says, "Sometimes you bend over backwards to touch 1000 kids, you may only touch one, but that one shines so bright they touch a thousand more."
KFDM/Fox 4's Mya Caleb reports.
