A second chance

By Jeff Mullin, Enid News & Eagle

Sometimes young people make bad choices.

Often those bad choices get them into trouble, and many times the trouble is bad enough to land them in juvenile detention or jail.

At that point, many young people find themselves at the crossroads between a life spent pushing against the boundaries set by society, or becoming a productive citizen within those legal and moral parameters.

The Youthful Offender Program, a partnership between Autry Technology Center and Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, gives troubled young people job and life skills training. The program is preparing up to 24 students every year for successful careers in welding. Classes are held at the Autry campus at Enid Woodring Regional Airport, which formerly housed the now-defunct aviation technology program.

One young man in the program, Anthony Cardinali, has been arrested for burglary and various other violations, including driving under the influence. He says he has been on his own and has lacked direction since he was 16.

The Youthful Offender Program is giving him a second chance. The program includes required certification before completion. There are stringent entrance guidelines, assessment tests are given and attendance is mandatory.

Graduates will be in high demand, according to welding program instructor Ryland Stonehocker. Welders with proper certification can make $15 an hour and up in local shops, he said.

Funding for the program comes from a variety of sources, including Department of Corrections and Workforce Investment Act through Community Development Support Association.

We applaud Autry and the other agencies involved with this pilot program, which has the potential to help troubled young people turn from a life of strife to one of success.