The Maurice Spear Campus was
named for its founder, former Lenawee County Probate Judge Maurice Spear, who
first conceived of the idea of creating a county youth facility after he was
elected in 1960. The MSC consists of two different programs: a detention unit
that houses up to 26 kids and an open unit that can house up to 40 kids.
The detention unit is a secure
facility for kids who have committed a crime and are required to remain in the
facility under a court order. The detention unit stays can vary from one day to
one year. The program provides education and enrichment groups to help get kids
back on track.
“We try to make an impact by
helping the kids understand the poor choices they are making and what the
consequences are,” explains Rodney Weaver, Director of the Maurice Spear
Campus.
The open unit employs a more
therapeutic and rehabilitative approach. It is designed for kids who’ve had
repeated admissions to the detention unit and have not responded to other types
of interventions in their home or community. Admission to the open unit is
based on an order from the Juvenile Court. The typical stay in the open unit
lasts from 9 to 14 months.
“The open unit has much more
family involvement. We provide individual and family counselling. And the kids
go to school right here on campus. They have chores and responsibilities,”
explains Weaver. “They also have involvement in the community and do volunteer
work.”
Having an open unit means the
doors are not locked. The kids know that they are there under a court order,
but they can also leave the campus to participate in community activities. They
can earn more opportunities based on positive behavior.
“In the open unit, we can focus
our attention on the kids that need help and want to get help, and their
families,” explains Weaver. “The program is a commitment. The more the kids buy
into it, the more successful they will be.”

The MSC employs youth specialists
who work with the kids every day and remind them to brush their teeth, take a
shower, and do their homework. Those basic tasks create the foundation for
positive habits for the youth and creates stability in their lives
The youth specialists also
coordinate schedules and provide transportation for the kids. “Our staff are
constantly driving kids all over town and making sure everyone gets where they
need to be,” explains Weaver. “More importantly, they show the kids that there
is someone who cares about where they are and what they are doing each day.”
In addition to the youth
specialists, there are also licensed therapists who provide individual and
family counseling that is essential for the kids to make positive changes in
their lives.
On Campus School Helps Kids Get Caught Up

Kids also attend school during
their stay at the Maurice Spear Campus. The school is staffed with five
teachers from the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD). Many of the kids
have fallen behind in school and are not meeting the standards for their age
and grade level. One of the goals for the teachers at the MSC is to make sure
the kids get caught up.
One of the primary benefits of
the on-site school is the small class sizes, which means that kids receive more
individualized attention. All of the teachers from the LISD are used to working
in groups that include different ages and skill levels. The teachers are also
cross trained to cover multiple subjects. The personalized instruction can help
the kids learn to appreciate school in a different way. It reignites their
passion for learning.
“This year, we had four students
graduate from high school and two of them were also accepted into Sienna
Heights University,” says Julie VanBlack, Regional Supervisor at the Lenawee
Intermediate School District. “We try to make sure the kids leave here with an
education and job skills that will allow them to move forward in their lives in
a positive way.”

Another unique program is the partnership between MSC and Goodwill Industries. The program with Goodwill Industries is all about job training. Any of the kids in the open unit have an opportunity to meet with the staff at Goodwill to discuss their interests and find out if there is a job that would be a good match. They start off working at Goodwill one afternoon per week, and if it works out, they can increase their hours to two evenings per week.
“They work in the retail stores or the in the distribution center getting items sorted for the stores. It provides great real-world experience for them,” explains Weaver. “They are paid on a debit card and can use that income for whatever they need to buy. It teaches them responsibility.”
In addition to the partnership with Goodwill Industries, MSC has relationships with many individuals and organizations in the community that provide volunteer opportunities for the kids.

Volunteer activities can range
from raking leaves in the fall for local senior citizens, to working at the
Michigan International Speedway to help clean up on race day. The kids also
help out local charities, such as the Michigan Humane Society. All of these activities
help to build connection and increase self-esteem for the kids staying at the
MSC.
“We are very thoughtful in the
partnerships we choose,” explains Weaver. “We want to select activities that
are positive and healthy for the kids to participate in, while also making a
contribution back to the community.”
The Maurice Spear Campus is
guided by an advisory Board of Directors that includes representation from
cities and townships across Lenawee County. Many of the board members come from
the educational system, including John Springer, a retired teacher who has
served on the board since 2008.
“As board members, we are
dedicated to helping the program achieve its goals,” says Springer. The board
has helped to raise funds for program improvements, and they provide financial
support for the partnership with Goodwill Industries. They also support special
events for the staff and residents, as well as funding scholarships to colleges
or trade schools for program graduates.
“It’s hard to say where these kids
might end up without these services, but probably not in a good place,”
explains Weaver. “It is easy to go down the wrong road. Our program provides
structure and guidance to help these kids make better decisions.”