Turning Away from Juvenile Crime

By Kimberly Williams
KTAL News

Just a few years ago Jasmine English says her life was headed in the wrong direction. "I had a bad attitude, smart mouth... I was on the path to destruction." Growing up in Jack's Quarters, Jasmine says teens in her neighborhood often feel pressure to portray a certain image.

"Like at school, they probably think that well... let's be bad because they already think we're bad because of the neighborhood we're from." Jasmine says quite often it's that peer pressure that sends some teens down the wrong path. "They want to fit in. So they try to go along with the group."

Jasmine's never been in trouble with the law, but says she's watched some of her peers make a few wrong choices and end up stuck in a life of crime. "Since they did wrong the first time, they think they gotta keep on doing it and keep on doing it. But they don't have to keep on doing it." Jasmine got her life back on track when she joined the Friendship Club at her neighborhood Friendship House.

"We just give them some options they never considered," said Friendship House Leader Tina Sheffield..."Changing their minds will also change their lives." Jasmine admits the Friendship House isn't for everyone, but says teens just need to decide to make the right choices in their lives before its too late. "They do have an option to turn around and do better but... will they do it? I don't know. I pray they will."

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