Depositing Empowerment Through Outreach and Urban Redevelopment (DETOUR) was created to help girls become successful in life. We provide weekly groups, mentoring and case management services to youth at risk of developing delinquent behaviors or who are currently involved in the juvenile justice system. The DETOUR Mentor Program, currently running in Unit 70 Kearny Mesa Detention Facility, places an emphasis on improving the self-esteem and self-awareness of justice-involved teen girls ages 13-18.

In partnership with Project Concern International (PCI), DETOUR also provides group mentoring for Justice-Involved girls in the community. The goal of this program is to build long-term sustainable relationships between girls and community members, which will assist in their transition back into society and promote family reunification.

Scope of Work

We support young women by enabling them to continuously work towards growth and development through conversation, activities, and empowerment seminars. We encourage them to gain the tools and experience needed to enrich their personal and professional lives to successfully transition back into their communities.

In addition, we recruit, train, and manage mentors to match with the Y.O.U girls during their commit. They receive weekly visits from their mentors, which continues into the community after their release. The goal of this program is to build long-term sustainable relationships between girls and community members, which will assist in their transition back into society and promote family reunification. Mentors come from diverse urban communities and backgrounds including business professionals, women in education, and those with lived experiences.

DETOUR staff focuses on building social and emotional skills through a trauma-informed approach. Our program is designed to decrease risk factors and increase protective factors to build resiliency in teen girls.