Youth Center School (YCS)
A Message from the Principal
Dear Families,
Thank you for taking the time to learn about Youth Center School. We know that having a child in the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home is not something most families plan for, and this may be a difficult time for everyone involved. Please know that your child will be welcomed by adults who care about them and believe in their future.
At Youth Center School, our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every student can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe that every young person deserves hope, encouragement, and the chance to be successful.
Our vision is simple:
100% of our students will make progress, and leave more prepared than when they arrived.
We work toward this by helping each student set three goals—a learning goal, a social-emotional goal, and a personal goal. We celebrate growth and help students build the skills they need for success in school, work, and life.
Everything we do is guided by our core values:
Safety
We work to create a place where everyone feels physically and emotionally safe.
Kindness
We treat others with respect, compassion, and dignity.
Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions and learn from mistakes.
We want Youth Center School to feel like a school because that is exactly what it is. Students earn credits, work with certified teachers, receive support when needed, and continue making progress toward graduation and future goals.
Families are important partners in this work. You know your child best, and we value your ideas, concerns, and hopes. We want to stay connected and work together to help your child be successful.
Thank you for trusting us with your child. We look forward to partnering with your family and supporting your student every step of the way. Read more to see ways that you can remain connected to your student and their progress while they are with us.
Sincerely,
Laura Draper
Principal
KRESA Youth Center School
Located inside the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home School
What Happens Next?
We know that entering the Juvenile Home can be stressful for students and families. You may have many questions about school and what comes next. We hope this guide helps you understand what to expect.
During the First Week
While Your Child Is Here
Students participate in daily classes and work toward earning credits and building skills for the future. We celebrate progress and encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and behavior.
We will communicate with families about successes, concerns, and important updates. We want parents and caregivers to be partners in helping students succeed.
Preparing for the Future
From the beginning, we are thinking about what comes next. Our staff works with families, treatment staff, probation officers, and schools to help students transition successfully when they leave Youth Center School.
Our goal is for every student to leave stronger, more confident, and ready for the next step.
Questions? Please reach out to us at any time. We are here to support both students and families.
Meet the Team
Many adults work together to support your child. While students reside in the Juvenile Home, they interact with both Youth Center School KRESA (Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency) staff and Kalamazoo County staff. We work closely together, but we have different roles.
KRESA Youth Center School Staff
School staff are responsible for academics, grades, special education services, transition planning, and supporting student success during the school day.
| Name | Role | How They Help |
|---|---|---|
|
Laura Draper |
Principal | General questions and school concerns |
| Katie Elms | Administrative Assistant | Attendance and school records |
| Jeff Martin | Transition Specialist/ Counselor | Schedules classes, and plans for next steps after placement |
| Laird Walker | School Social Worker | Mental health and student support |
| Anne Lape | Literacy Consultant | Identifies students who need literacy supports and makes appropriate plans |
| Titania Lee | Special Education Administrator Consultant | Ensures students with IEPs are receiving appropriate services |
Teachers, Paraprofessionals, and Tutors
We are joined by a KRESA instructional staff that includes 7 highly qualified teachers who are also certified in Special Education. We are able to offer small class sizes (8 or fewer students per class), and have paraprofessionals, a reading tutor, and licensed Music Therapist to support learning in our classrooms.
- Eric Dial- Work Based Learning
- Scott Haas- Health & Journalism
- Jill Kain- English
- Mark Kirkpatrick- Social Studies
- Robin Reva- Art
- Rebecca Soukup- Science
- Tamala White- Mathematics & Family Consumer Science
- Craig Dutmer, Chinetha Walton, John Williams, Pedro Villa- Paraprofessionals
- Lindsey Jansma- Reading Tutor
- Louie Morand- Music Therapist
Kalamazoo County Staff
County staff, called Youth Specialists, support students inside and outside of the school day. They supervise daily living, routines, recreation, and other non-school matters.
Who Should I Contact?
Email KRESA Youth Center School, or call 269-385-8523, for questions about:
- Grades and assignments
- Special education services
- Progress toward graduation
- Educational Transition planning
Contact the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home staff for non-School questions regarding:
- Visitation
- Daily routines
- Recreation and living unit questions
- Facility-related concerns
any text here
Hoops & Screens
Hoops & Screens is the Work-Based Learning (WBL) classroom at Youth Center School, housed within the Juvenile Home Schools. The program helps students develop both soft and hard skills essential for future employment, bridging classroom learning with real-world job experience.
Our goal is for students to understand and practice key soft skills such as work ethic, communication, time management, teamwork, accepting feedback, flexibility, problem-solving, and working under pressure—skills that together form the foundation of a strong employee.
In addition to soft skills, students build hard skills like resume and cover letter writing, completing job applications, following directions, typing, and using math in workplace contexts. Students also receive hands-on experience with design software including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CorelDRAW, Microsoft Word, and DesignShop to create logos and custom designs for clients.
Work-based learning activities mirror professional environments and help students:
- Communicate effectively (both written and verbal)
- Collaborate productively in teams
- Prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
- Show initiative and professionalism
- Use job-specific software tools effectively
- Apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects
- Mentor and support newer students in the classroom
- Students take projects from concept to completion. Starting with a basic design or idea, they create vector images, finalize colors and sizing with staff support, and seek client approval. Once approved, students prepare the materials, print and finish the products, check for quality, and pack items for shipment via REMC or UPS.
For more information about the products we offer, contact Eric Dial at eric.dial@kresa.org or Laura Draper at laura.draper@kresa.org. You can also browse our apparel offerings at hoopsandscreens.imprintableapparel.com.