Aiken Project

FJJ has attracted a working group of friends who are catching the vision Chief Margaret Barber has cast for DJJ's growing partnerships at the community level.  To read a recent press account of how the work is taking shape in Aiken, please click here.

The Hope Connection

Imagine having a powerful force in every South Carolina county that can help keep at-risk kids in school and out of trouble.  That's the thinking behind our goal of having an FJJ Chapter, a local network of community friends, in each of South Carolina's 46 counties.  Our chapters will work hand in hand with each DJJ county office and collaboratively with churches and community groups to provide hope to troubled teens.  Some will need a mentor, others a ride to work or healthcare.  Some might only need a backpack of school supplies.  The needs will vary, but the caring and hope will never end.  What can we do to get started where you live? Click here to email us with your ideas.

Mentors Making A Difference...

Kids need caring, involved adults...Role models...who can help them succeed in life.  We want every at-risk child to have the benefit of a trained mentor, which is why we're involved in a statewide campaign to raise the awareness and dollars it will take to make this dream a reality.

Helping DJJ Move Forward...

We're so proud of the achievements of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.  In many ways, DJJ is an example of what can be done when people decide they just won't quit despite seemingly insurmountable odds.  Recidivism...The rate at which incarcerated youth return to DJJ, is down.  So is the teen crime rate.  Fewer kids are in a DJJ facility than ever before and most are now being helped in the community.  Under the leadership of Director Margaret Barber, the agency hopes to strengthen its ties to the community even more and offer more hope to youths by providing job training and other effective programs.