Those involved share stories about successfully using counseling, training

More information about the program is available by calling (919) 294-4097

By KEITH UPCHURCH
kupchurch@heraldsun.com; 419-6612

DURHAM -- "We're not here just to suck air and die."

That's what the director of a nonprofit academy that helps at-risk children told a group Thursday as he explained how the program has turned lives around -- reducing school suspensions, bringing families together and steering kids away from gangs.

Larry Thomas runs the D.L. Forbes Academy in Durham, a faith-based, military-style program that offers a residential setting in the summer and works through schools and churches the rest of the year to help children whose lives are headed for a ditch.

He spoke at a meeting of the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham at Shepherd's House United Methodist Church on North Driver Street.

Durham police Capt. Winslow Forbes, a board member of the D.L. Forbes Youth Foundation, named for his late father, said the program has cut school suspensions and steered kids away from gangs since it began in 2002.

"The secret to it is showing love," he said. "A lot of young people, believe it or not, really like discipline, structure."

He cited the example of a girl who was being suspended from school several times a year. After completing the program, she started making all As and is now attending Fayetteville State University.

"Her thing is that her mother did not show her love, because she let her do anything that she wanted to do," Forbes said. "And she felt like that we loved her, because we gave her structure."

The program involves counseling and training for kids 10 to 14, with home and school visits by the staff, parent conferences, community service projects and help preparing for college. A 40-day residential summer camp is held in the summer, and follow-up continues for a year.

Funds for the program come from the city of Durham, churches, donations and grants. The cost is $1,600 per child, but payments can be spaced out.

Forbes, who is District One commander in the Police Department, said the program has served about 160 people so far, with 12 now in the program and another 40 expected this summer.

Forbes said his motivation comes from wanting to give back to the community.

"I look at my age, and I'm getting older," he said. "So you want to feel like when you leave this world, you have given back and actually done something for other people."