Ben Heritage gave a report on the up-coming golf classic to be held at Golden Hills Country Club on October 29th. It was reported that the young men at D.J.J. had raised money to sponsor a hole.
The meeting continued with the officers of the D.J.J. Interact Club being introduced by Ginny Barr. The president of Interact introduced the guests and told of projects to provide reading material for its members and also of a project on International Day through U.S.C.
Antonio introduced Judge Bill Byars who came to D.J.J. in 2003. From 1989 to 1999 Judge Byars was a Family Court Judge. He is a U.S.C. Law School graduate and a former military officer. Judge Byars was recognized for making many changes at D.J.J. including new dress code of khaki pants and polo shirts and the construction of new dorms.
Judge Byars thanked Lake Murray-Irmo for its participation with D.J.J. He said that our club was the first to provide needed equipment for sports programs that were previously unavailable but now include participation in an international league.
He also was very appreciative of the donation of wood-working equipment that has been used for chair production projects and our sponsorship of scholarships at D.J.J.
Judge Byars said that this Interact Club was the first in the World in a facility like D.J.J.
He told of the new programs of Intensive Supervision Officers- that will help young men from D.J.J. to adjust and handle the move back into our communities. These programs have reduced the return rate to D.J.J. by 20%.
He said that they were starting employment programs on the outside with the first 80 hours of salary being covered by D.J.J.
Judge Byars told of the new construction of the Community Connection Center with no state funds at a cost of 3 million dollars. This building will provide meeting rooms and facilities for D.J.J. residents to have privacy to meet with families. Judge Byars again recognized our club as being the catalyst for community involvement at D.J.J.
Reporter W. Lynn Campbell
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