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REGULAR MEETING March 26, 2018
<br /> licensed. Secondly, I think it was just a blessing that we found this building because it has great
<br /> space in it for young men. There is enough space in there for my staff, myself, and the young men
<br /> to have a normal life. It has a dining room where I can fit everyone around a big table and have a
<br /> family dinner. That was there for us and quite honestly, I believe we could really make an impact
<br /> on this community and be of service.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden stated, To follow up on your comment about preferring to be in a
<br /> neighborhood, please address, from your standpoint, why the State looks for a neighborhood
<br /> environment? Why is that so critical and what is the alternative?
<br /> Dr. Bruinsma replied, First of all, a lot of our young men need to learn how to be good citizens.
<br /> You need to have interaction with people, normal people, and in normal situations. Everyone
<br /> comes upon certain adversities in their life. There are certain challenges that come up and that is
<br /> good because we learn from our adversity.We learn from the mistakes we make during those times
<br /> and that is very important. We placed them in an area where they won't come in contact with
<br /> anybody, how would they learn to practice their interpersonal skills? They need an opportunity
<br /> like that. When representatives from DCS came, they remarked on how many businesses are
<br /> nearby for our young men be a part of. I've already had a business owner express to me that he
<br /> would like to hire some of our young men.
<br /> Councilmember Sharon L. McBride asked, What type of background do the young men have, as
<br /> far as being referred from probation?
<br /> Dr. Bruinsma replied, We would have some young men that have been referred from the
<br /> Department of Child Services. There are some young men that come through probation that have
<br /> made mistakes and need to learn from their mistakes.
<br /> Councilmember Sharon L. McBride followed up, And what is the average length of stay for the
<br /> client?
<br /> Dr. Bruinsma replied, Well, we haven't operated Woodford Home yet so I don't know what the
<br /> average length of stay would be. I can tell you our residential stay is anywhere from nine (9) to
<br /> twelve (12) months. There might be some outliers that might complete it longer or shorter.
<br /> Remember,this home is for young men that don't have a place to go. So, if a young man wants to
<br /> stay there, and that is the thing about this, he has to want to stay there. I'm not going to let these
<br /> young men back on the street until he is prepared to take care of himself, he has an education and
<br /> has some money in his pocket.
<br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden then asked, How many facilities does Rite of Passage operate,
<br /> nationally?
<br /> Dr. Bruinsma replied, About forty-two (42)programs are in operation right now, and the facilities
<br /> range from anywhere from shelter-care, group-homes, residential treatment to correctional
<br /> facilities, deep-end correctional facilities and both for males and females.
<br /> This being the time heretofore set for the Public Hearing on the above bill, proponents and
<br /> opponents were given an opportunity to be heard.
<br /> Samuel Brown, 222 E. Navarre Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I have a watchdog group called
<br /> Citizens United for a Better Government. I really like this idea because I go and mentor kids
<br /> myself. They've got a diverse group from what he says and I'd like to go and visit because there
<br /> are situations where people need something like this. Nothing is perfect, remember that. Every
<br /> question you guys ask could come up. But hopefully, they have a game plan. And I hope that the
<br /> Council will really take this into consideration and pass it because I'm out there every day. There
<br /> are people in need of something like this. Please think seriously about this and keep remembering
<br /> there is nothing perfect, but we have to try.
<br /> Phil Niswonger, 741 S. 30th Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I've been a South Bend resident for
<br /> over sixty(60) years. Dear Common Council,citizens, and business members,I am President Pro-
<br /> Tempore of the River Park Neighborhood Association and am also a retired school teacher from
<br /> Trinity and Marion High Schools. I also served as Assistant Principal, Dean and Enrollment
<br /> Manager at Ivy Tech and Davenport Universities. I also spent years as an employment counselor
<br /> and human resource coordinator in northern Indiana. I also served for several years on the
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