Pilot Projects

Building A Better World
Presented by: David Sanchez & Hilario Diaz
An Idea is Realized
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The project idea was the brainchild of
David Sanchez, Director of the Amador
Rodriguez Juvenile Boot Camp.
He was previously employed by the Texas
Youth Commission (Evins Regional
Juvenile Center) and started a similar
building trades program.
He discussed his idea with his superiors at
the county who gave him the green light
to develop the idea into a working project.
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He decided to expand the program from a
shop class that built picnic tables and
shelves into a full blown building trades
program
His idea has turned into what Cameron
County refers to as the Building Trades
Project. The ARBC started building its 1st
home June 2008.
Three agencies were contacted and they
agreed to participate in the project. MOU’s
were developed between the three agencies
and ARBC.
United
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Workforce Solutions Cameron is the local
Cameron County Workforce Board, one of
the 28 boards in Texas.
The mission of WS Cameron is to provide
workforce development services to eligible
participants, including at-risk youth
WS Cameron provided the funding for the
operation of the building trades project.
Proyecto Azteca
Acronym
A semblea de
Z onas de
T rabajadores
con
E qualidad
para
C asas con
A mistad
Proyecto Azteca
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It is an organization governed by a Board of
Directors comprised of 13 low income farm
workers and colonia residents. The voice of the
colonias resounds in every Proyecto Azteca
activity.
Proyecto Azteca is the model program for a
statewide effort to provide help to colonia
residents in building their own homes.
PA provided all the materials and blue prints for
building the home.
San Benito Consolidated
Independent School
District
SBCISD Superintendent
of Schools
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Superintendent of
SBCISD since Sept 27,
2004 with 26 years of
experience in the field
of Education.
Mr. Limon and SBCISD
are committed to
serving all students in
the district. His support
of the project was key
to their participation.
SBCISD Assist.
Superintendent for
Curriculum & Instruction
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Assistant Superintendent
for Curriculum and
Instruction
In the field of education
for 30 years
Supports this initiative
because “it is an
opportunity to leave no
child behind by developing
workforce skills and self
concept in students”.
Basis for Success
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The four entities involved in the project, each
played a particular role and limited their
participation to that role.
Each entity worked independently but contributed
to the overall project operation.
Each entity benefited from the project’s success;
Proyecto Azteca had an energy efficient home built,
a colonia resident got a home for 25k at 0%
interest, SBCISD received ADA for the participants,
WS Cameron received assistance in meeting their
performance measures, ARBC met goals in
providing vocational services to project participants.
Cameron County Amador R.
Rodriguez Juvenile Boot Camp and
Educational Center
Cameron County Amador R.
Rodriguez Juvenile Boot Camp and
Educational Center
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A Co-ed Secure PostAdjudication Juvenile
Correctional Facility
Operated by the
Cameron County
Juvenile Justice
Center.
“CHANGING ATTITUDES FOR SUCCESS”
Placement at Boot Camp
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The Cameron County boot camp utilizes a
balanced approach in order to rehabilitate
adjudicated youth.
Discipline
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Cadets follow a 16 hour structured
program that emphasizes discipline,
respect, and concern for the wellbeing of others.
The program is designed to prepare
each juvenile for life as a law-abiding
citizen
Education
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Educational services
are provided by 3
teachers from the San
Benito ISD.
The average ratio is 12
students to 1 teacher
Currently 2 of our
teachers are certified
in the area of Special
Education and one in
Career and Technology
(CATE).
Rehabilitative Services
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Students receive group and individual
counseling services by a Masters level
counselor/therapist.
Behavior group sessions are conducted by
two assigned probation officers
Substance abuse counseling services are
provided by a Licensed Chemical
Dependency Counselor
Students also receive counseling services by
a catholic priest and a protestant minister.
Parental Involvement
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The goal of the boot camp is to reconnect cadets with their families.
Weekly family counseling sessions are
conducted by our counselor. Our
probation officers also participate in
the sessions. Attendance is mandatory
in order to receive visitation privileges.
Building Trades/Skills Training
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Workforce development
training has enhanced the
quality of services students
receive at the boot camp.
This includes academic
training, counseling,
service to the community,
and the cadet’s selfesteem.
Classroom Component
Hands-On Training
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These cadets will leave the ARBC with a sense of
pride because they helped build a dream for a
needy family. The following are pictures of the
DREAM they are helping to BUILD.
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Our cadets get
hands-on experience
working with tools.
Along with hands-on
training, cadets also
learn basic
employability skills
such as being
responsible,
following directions
carefully, teamwork,
and appreciating the
value of hard work.
Frame Clip 2.mpg
Who benefits from this
project?
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Students- Skills training, high school credits,
hourly wages, improved self-esteem,
The community- Students are less likely to
re-offend
Families- Low-income families are able to
obtain a home for around 25k financed at
0%
Probation Department- Students were able
to pay their fees without being a burden to
their families
Program benefits
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During the summer
months, cadets made
$7.00 per hour for
participating in this
project through a
stipend provided by
Workforce Solutions
Cameron.
Helping A Family
Working Together
United