Category:

PROFILE:

     Crossroads Wilderness Institute, Inc., "CWI", is a not-for-profit residential facility for fourteen to eighteen year old males sent by the Department of Juvenile Justice, "DJJ"; established and continuously operated since 1986 on twenty acres of property in East Charlotte County, Florida.

History:

      Crossroads Wilderness Institute "CWI" started operations in 1986 on twenty acres of property in East Charlotte County owned by the Babcock Florida Company. Thanks to the long friendship between CWI board chairman, Judge Elmer Friday, and the owner of the property, the former Mr. Fred Babcock, generous lease terms were offered to CWI exclusively. The program remains situated there today, serving over seventy youth each year. It is one of fifty-four programs affiliated with Associated Marine Institute which has programs operating in eight states and the Cayman Islands.

Mission:

     The institute is currently housing thirty-five young men from DJJ districts 5, 6, 8, and 14 in the state of Florida. Twenty-nine employees manage the daily activities on a twenty-four hour basis. The campus consists of two dorms, the administration building, vocational education building, kitchen/dining room facility, and an education building complete with three computer rooms handling up to six computer stations each.

      Our mission is to help youth-at-risk in South Florida. Our role is to provide education, mentoring and discipline to better help our youth become productive members of society. Our goal is to be the best service provider for youth-at-risk.