Juveniles at Clark County detention center learn CPR, other life skills through new program

CLARK COUNTY, Ind. (WDRB) — The Clark County Juvenile Center has a new program where they teach life-saving skills to the juveniles at the center.

The program is called "Strive to Revive." The juveniles will learn CPR, first-aid and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator or AED. It was an idea that came to field director Jennifer Swanson in October.

"Working with these juveniles a lot of times they come in, and they don't think they have any skill sets, and they don't think they have any hope and that just because they made some bad choices that they're at the bottom of the barrel," Swanson said.

As one of 17 juvenile detention centers in Indiana, Swanson said they bring in kids from all over the state. Swanson said they strive to improve the teenagers' self-esteems.

"They need someone to believe in them; they need someone that can look at them and say, 'I see something in you'. Even though they may have done some things that are not great, they're still kids," she said.

Swanson adds they want the juveniles to be able to take those life skills wherever they go next.

"I thought what better way to help build them up by giving them a life skill but also a job skill so when they leave and go back out into their community, they have something they can put on their resume and they can truly make a difference if their community if the opportunity ever rises," Swanson said.

The detention center already had one training session this year. Swanson said five juveniles earned certificates for CPR as well as other life skills like how to treat burns.

"Now that's something when they leave, even if they go to placement, even if they go to the department of corrections, that's theirs, nobody can take that away from them," Swanson explains.

Certificates cost $40 per person, so the center is relying on help from the community to fund this program. Swanson said if people are willing to donate, 100% of the donations will go towards the program.

The funding goal is $4,800, and they are hoping to train 10 juveniles each month in their first year.

If you want to donate, contact Swanson at jswanson@clarkcounty.in.gov.

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