A residential facility for adjudicated males ages 10-17, the Youth Village is located on a 53-acre tract of land in southern Dallas County and is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) to house up to 88 residents. The program’s highly structured environment enables residents to make positive adjustments in their thinking strategies and behaviors. Emphasis is placed on re-establishing a successful and effective family unit. Program components address all areas, including: behavioral, educational, emotional, physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs. Last year 144 residents were admitted for an average length of stay of 7.5 months. The average daily population was 76 residents and the rate of successful discharges was 89.3%.

Youth Village accepts youth who have lengthy histories of delinquent conduct and aggression, as well as youth who are taking psychotropic medications. Program components are very diverse, such as out-patient drug treatment services, a sex offender program, a transitional living program, psychological services, Substance Abuse & HIV/AIDS Prevention, horticulture, recreational services, Boy Scouting, GED, college enrollment, job placement and work skills. In 2001 The Youth Village Foundation, a 501(c)(3) private non-profit foundation, was formed to raise funds to financially assist youth who hope to attend college. Over the past five years 35 residents have received the opportunity to attend college. In 2006, 47 residents studied and 33 completed their GED; 7 of these youth also became gainfully employed for the first time in their lives.

Residents, for the fifth time since 2000 won the “Volunteer Group of the Year” from the Black Academy of Arts and Letters for community service completed.