Villa open house shows how it helps troubled youth
PHOTO BY AL PALMER
Kaila C., 15, told her story to visitors at the Florida Sheriffs Youth Villa open house on April 28.
PHOTO BY AL PALMER
Polk Sheriff's Deputy Steve McDonald introduces 2-year-old Hudson Brannan to 7-year-old Aztec, McDonald's canine partner at the Youth Villa open house in Bartow April 28
PHOTO BY AL PALMER
More than 400 area residents joined Youth Villa residents and staff for lunch at an open house Saturday, April 28.
PHOTO BY AL PALMER
Florida Sheriffs Youth Villa Unit Director Mike Brannan and Roger Bouchard, president of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, welcomed visitors to the 41st anniversary open house Saturday, April 28.
PHOTO BY AL PALMER
Youth Villa residents (from left) Hailie C., Lindsay E., visitor Kelly Laird, Kerrie A., and Elisha H. all took a look at the Polk Sheriff's Office armored rescue vehicle at the open house Saturday, April 28.
More than 400 Polk County residents joined staff and residents at Saturday’s 41st anniversary celebration open house at the Florida Sheriffs Ranches Youth Villa for Girls on State Road 60 east of Bartow.
On hand were the villa’s 40 residents, 26 staff members, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies and state sheriffs Youth Ranch officials. The Bartow facility is one of four residential sites provided through the sheriffs’ program to curb delinquency and develop good citizens. Forty girls currently live in four cottages. A fifth cottage is under development, according to officials.
