Altadena Sheriff’s Station to Hold Program for “Youths at Risk”

At least two young people in the Pasadena area committed suicide last year: a teenager who leaped to his death from the library at La Cañada High School and a 22-year-old man who jumped off a parking structure in Old Pasadena.

Both deaths could have been prevented if the young victims have been more equipped with life-valuing decisions.

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station will hold another Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives (VIDA) course starting Feb. 12 to cover real-life problems including positive outlook, finances, taxes, unemployment and physical weakness for youths at-risk.

The program will include counseling, physical training, life skills workshops, drills and games. Those who will complete the program will have a a formal graduation at the end of the course.

Participants aged 11 to 17 1/2 years will be having 10 hours of the program a week for the 16-week period, while their parents will participate for two hours a week.

“By placing positive influences around our youth, we can help them realize their self-worth, establish goals and avoid gangs, drugs, crime and negative influences,” Captain John Benedict said. “We must do our part with our youth, in prevention and intervention, as they are the future of this great community.”

VIDA, meaning “life” in Spanish, first started in East Los Angeles in 1996. It’s participants may come from different walks of life. The judges may decide to suspend the sentences of juvenile defendants through their completion of the program, while police officers may recommend to the criminal suspects to take the program instead of facing criminal charges.

The teenagers that will be accepted in the program also include those referred to by the probation department, school district, field or school resource deputies and parents who are struggling to control their child’s negative behavior.

The fee costs $75 per participant for the full 16-week course.

Deputy Dexter Jones is now accepting applications. The interested parent or guardian must attend a formal registration.

For those who want to join the program and for more information, visit http://www.vida.la or call (626) 296-2108