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06/17/2001 - AYA Group Home Opens

Washington, Jun 17 -

AYA Group Home Opens



BOULDER, MT (June 17, 2001)--Alternative Youth Adventures of Montana (AYA) recently celebrated the opening of its new group home in Boulder, Montana. The newly renovated facility will house a structured, therapeutic, community-based program designed for troubled adolescents. Participants in the AYA program will acquire the skills needed for a successful return to their homes and communities.

Governor Judy Martz of Montana attended the grand opening celebration on May 15, 2001. The Governor delivered an opening address, which was followed by an awards ceremony and a tour of the new facility.

AYA of Montana’s rapid growth during the past several years made new space a top priority for the organization. Every effort was made to find space in the Boulder area in order to preserve jobs in Jefferson County.

AYA Montana worked with the Jefferson Local Development Corporation (JLDC) to redevelop two buildings on the South Boulder Campus, a vacant state mental health facility. This joint project came about in an effort to save jobs in the county and to create space for the growth of AYA. JLDC received a federal Economic Development Administration grant and a Montana Community Development Block Grant to fund the renovations. The JLDC then worked with AYA to develop the buildings to AYA’s specifications. AYA moved into the newly renovated buildings in mid-April.

"The redevelopment of the Boulder campus is a prime example of what local people and organizations can do when they work together," said Larry Steidnitz, Director of AYA Montana. "Local vendors and contractors were used whenever possible. To date, more than $1 million has been spent in the local community on services and supplies, and that figure will grow as work progresses on other buildings on the campus."

AYA offers these youth a wide array of clinical and educational services as well as life skills and social skills training. In addition to residential services, AYA Montana provides services to Jefferson County students living at home with their families through its day program at the center. Some of these students will be transitioning to Boulder area schools as soon as they are able.