History

Rite of Passage’s roots are traced back to 1984, when an alternative to traditional incarceration was sought. We developed our innovative program to help 12 emotionally disturbed teenagers, and based our program on experiential sports.

We soon expanded the concept and placed our emphasis on developing student self-esteem and providing opportunities for counseling and achievement in athletics, academics and vocational training.  By the 1990s, we began structuring our programs within a normalized, pro-social environment that emphasized restorative justice principles.

This well-rounded approach forms the basis of the programs Rite of Passage currently operates. Today, our program emphasizes evidence-based research – not experiential sports.  However, our philosophy and core values remain intact.

Rite of Passage takes its name from the journey, ritualized in some cultures, of passing through one life stage to another.  For our students, their rite of passage is the transformation of incorrigible teen into a goal oriented young adult.  They accomplish this because we provide the opportunity – and because we believe in them today, as we have believed in them every day for the past twenty years.

After two decades, our diverse services range from non-residential mentoring and tracking programs to secure facilities.  We care for over 1,200 youth and nearly 15,000 youth have gone through our programs.