Dobbs and Lenoir youth development center could become one facility

Dobbs Youth Development Center could soon become a co-ed facility, providing services to the area’s at-risk female population.

Glenn Elmore, Lenoir Youth Development Center director, said this week the state was discussing which of its nine juvenile facilities could become co-ed. The Dobbs facility in Lenoir County at 3060 Dobbs Farm Road serves a male population only.

Elmore said there is a state-run youth development center for women in the central part of the state, which has proven not to be enough to meet growing needs.

“It’s not fair for (women) to have to drive that far,” Elmore said. “Bringing women to one side of our facility is being discussed but nothing is definite yet.”

The N.C. Department of Juvenile Justice opened a new Lenoir Youth Development Center during May 2008. The facility is directly across from Dobbs Youth Development Center on Dobbs Farm Road.

Elmore said the two facilities could soon become one facility under the same Dobbs name.

“We are going to make one facility out of the entire complex,” Elmore said. “We also plan to bring vocational programs back to Dobbs.”

About 150 people currently work at the two facilities, which serve approximately 70 youths. The annual budget for the complex is $1.4 million, Elmore said.

Lenoir County Commissioner George Graham emphasized Dobb’s vital role in helping transform local at-risk youths’ lives.

“Dobbs makes contributions to our community and sets a good example,” Graham said.

During the 2009 General Assembly session, budget cuts nearly forced Dobbs to close its doors. Billy Lassiter, director of communications for the N.C. Dept. of Juvenile Justice, said during May that Dobbs could have closed by September.

Dobbs has been in operation since the late 1940s. In the end, it wasn’t closed and continues to operate at full staff.

Elmore thanked the Lenoir County commissioners for their support.

“You have helped us remain open,” Elmore said.

Chris Lavender can be reached at 252-559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.