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Williams honored for Montana Youth Challenge graduation
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| Kaleb Williams is an 18-year-old graduate of the Montana Youth Challenge who was honored Friday, Jan. 29, at the Blackfeet Tribal Court for his accomplishments, and was proudly supported by his family. Photo by John McGill |
By John McGill
The courtroom at the Blackfeet Tribal Court was packed with youthful offenders Friday, Jan. 29, along with a recent graduate of the Montana Youth Challenge and his family, who was being honored for his accomplishments.
“At Juvenile Probation, we work with any youth cited, for example for MIP, and the kids are sent to Crystal Creek Lodge for evaluation,” said Karen Connolly, juvenile probation officer. She noted the work of Rita Horn, a counselor at Crystal Creek. “Rita works with them as a counselor and refers them to other programs, grief and loss classes, and that’s really helpful with our kids.”
Together with co-workers, Presenting Officer Sandra Talks About, Domestic Relations Clerk Carrie Iron Shirt Jordan and Family Court Clerk Shirley Rutherford, Karen and Rita created an honoring ceremony and educational program for youthful offenders. “We put positive things together for them,” said Connolly of Friday’s event. “They’re getting lunch and a movie, and the theme is being responsible,” Connolly continued. She noted having a caseload of around 40 kids, with 35 being active cases and the remainder attending programs like the Montana Youth Challenge.
“We try to find resources to rehabilitate rather than having them sit in jail,” she said. “We work with schools, both in and out of state...and other programs in the region. The reservation is rich in resources, and we try to use them to help our kids...it’s so hard. When they come here it’s so hard. They’re not bad kids; they just made bad choices.”
The system at the court is one that has been created and is supported by Karen, Sandra and Carrie themselves, and they’ve seen results from their efforts. “The stats speak for it,” said Connolly. “The numbers are way down from where they were before. Even nine months ago we had more than 150 on probation; now there are only 40 with only 35 active cases.”
After eating and watching a movie about responsibility, all the juveniles took part in honoring Kaleb Williams, an 18-year-old graduate of the Montana Youth Challenge. His family proudly stood by his side, along with his certificate and medals for being a top cadet and taking prizes in physical education.
“At Juvenile Probation, we work with any youth cited, for example for MIP, and the kids are sent to Crystal Creek Lodge for evaluation,” said Karen Connolly, juvenile probation officer. She noted the work of Rita Horn, a counselor at Crystal Creek. “Rita works with them as a counselor and refers them to other programs, grief and loss classes, and that’s really helpful with our kids.”
Together with co-workers, Presenting Officer Sandra Talks About, Domestic Relations Clerk Carrie Iron Shirt Jordan and Family Court Clerk Shirley Rutherford, Karen and Rita created an honoring ceremony and educational program for youthful offenders. “We put positive things together for them,” said Connolly of Friday’s event. “They’re getting lunch and a movie, and the theme is being responsible,” Connolly continued. She noted having a caseload of around 40 kids, with 35 being active cases and the remainder attending programs like the Montana Youth Challenge.
“We try to find resources to rehabilitate rather than having them sit in jail,” she said. “We work with schools, both in and out of state...and other programs in the region. The reservation is rich in resources, and we try to use them to help our kids...it’s so hard. When they come here it’s so hard. They’re not bad kids; they just made bad choices.”
The system at the court is one that has been created and is supported by Karen, Sandra and Carrie themselves, and they’ve seen results from their efforts. “The stats speak for it,” said Connolly. “The numbers are way down from where they were before. Even nine months ago we had more than 150 on probation; now there are only 40 with only 35 active cases.”
After eating and watching a movie about responsibility, all the juveniles took part in honoring Kaleb Williams, an 18-year-old graduate of the Montana Youth Challenge. His family proudly stood by his side, along with his certificate and medals for being a top cadet and taking prizes in physical education.
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