Cross Over Youth model: helping minors detour from the juvenile system

Cross Over Youth Program is a new program that prevents foster care children from ending up in the juvenile justice system (juvie).

22-year-old Destiny Harbor bounced around 23 foster care homes in the course of 7-years and landed in juvie for one week.

“I was picked on while I was in the group home, people would get into fights for little things, I pretty much felt like a lion trying to survive,” said Destiny Harper.

At 16-years-old, Destiny’s life took a turn when she received a phone call that her mom had passed away.

“That’s where the depressions started and I just felt alone. My mom was my world, I loved her to death, and I started cutting my arms,” said Harper.

Harper spent one week in JUVIE and said it was one of the most painful experiences she has ever experienced. Her message to others facing the same battle is to seek for help.

“You have to take a deep breath and ask for help cause one can’t do it all on your own,” said Harper.