BENTONVILLE -- Benton County Sheriff's Office deputies and juvenile officials are teaming with fitness experts to mentor juveniles.
The program -- THOR -- stands for training, health, opportunity and responsibility, according to Sheriff Shawn Holloway. Holloway said he hopes the CrossFit/mentoring program will help juveniles turn their lives around.
The judge will give the juveniles "a clean slate" if they successfully complete the program, Holloway said.
Circuit Judge Tom Smith presides over juvenile court in Benton County. Thirteen juveniles ranging from 14 to 17 years old have volunteered.
Smith said some of the teens will be released from probation if they successfully complete the program. All the teens will get credit for their community service and fines upon completion of the program, Smith said.
Holloway and some of his deputies are assisting with the class.
"I think that we can give a skill set that these young men can carry out through their lives," Holloway said. "Hopefully, we make a difference in their lives."
The first class is made up of only boys, and Smith said the goal is to include girls in the next class.
Classes began last week. The parents also meet for skills training with members of the juvenile justice team.
Smith said the class will meet twice a week for a few weeks before moving to three times a week.
"I believe it will be successful," Smith said. "It's a way for the kids to be mentored by deputies and trainers while working out."
Lee Kelly and his wife, Jennifer Kelly, owners of CrossFit NWA, are serving as coaches.
"You have to give it your all," Lee Kelly told the class at Monday's first meeting. "You have to give it 110 percent. Have fun with it, and it's going to hurt, but you will be pleased by the results at the end of the program."
The classes are held in the gym at the Benton County Sheriff's Office.
"It will get them off the couch and playing videos games," Smith said.
The program will also build relationships between the juveniles and deputies, he said. The boys are having interactions with law enforcement in a positive setting, Smith said.
One 15-year-old boy said he chose the program instead of community service.
"I saw a chance for me to get fit," he said. "I would much rather be here than out picking up trash."
Smith said he's excited the boys volunteered for the program instead of him ordering them to participate.
Mike Rush with Rush Running Co. donated a pair of tennis shoes to each boy. Rush also will serve as a coach for the running portion of the program.
Smith said he hopes the boys also learn skills helping each one have successful lives. He believes the program could be a model for other sheriff's offices and juvenile courts.
"It's important that we help these kids right now," he said. "If we don't help them now then the next level is the adult system, and no one wants that."
NW News on 08/19/2017