By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – A program in the Bismarck-Mandan area aims to help young people readjust to society after serving time in prison.
Joy Sorenson founded the "YES" program 27 years ago at the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan. "YES" stands for Youth Enrichment Services. Sorenson says the program helps 18 to 24 year olds who have served prison time for drugs and alcohol.
"We help them after they get out of prison," said Sorenson. "We pick them up at prison or jail. And we have a house to bring them to, where they can take the time to heal and build up hope."
Sorenson says it's more than a half-way house. Instead, she says it's more of a family atmosphere. But she says people accepted into the program have to hold up their end of the bargain.
"We ask that within two weeks, they find a job," said Sorenson. "Locating employment can be difficult, because they have felonies on their records."
How does one get into the YES program?
"Sincerity, I guess," said Sorenson. "They have to really want to change and accept a new direction in their lives."
Sorenson says the YES program has an 80 percent success rate.