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Troubled Las Vegas teens will soon be able to go to youth center any time of day

Posted at 6:26 PM, Jan 23, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-24 12:11:01-05

Clark County announced its "juvenile assessment center" will expand its services.

By mid-February, the center will start operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which is welcome news to parents of at-risk youth.

Gina Flores' son started getting in trouble when he was 13.

"We ended up in court for many things that he did."

Now in his 20s, her son is still behind bars.

For years, she did her best to get him on the right track but it didn't work out.

"It's very difficult. I'm still going through  that. I think that if we'd gotten him more help through the system I think we could've helped him," says Flores.

Flores is happy to know The Harbor -Juvenile Assessment Center will soon start to reach more parents and troubled teens.

The youth center also has a new home - now located at the corner of Washington Avenue and Mojave Road.

Cheryl Wright of the Department of Juvenile Justice Services says, "We can help a wide variety of teens. Some just going through adjustment problems. Some that may have more chronic mental health issues. Some families that might be struggling financially."

Since it opened in 2016, The Harbor has already helped 2,800 teens - keeping them away from the juvenile justice system by connecting them to services they and their families need.

"They are children. Their brains aren't fully developed and children make mistakes," says Wright.

The program offers collaborative services to youth and their families from multiple partners including Clark County’s Department of Juvenile Justice Services, Clark County’s Department of Family Services, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Clark County Family Court, the local cities, the Clark County School District, the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, Metro, the North Las Vegas Police Department, Three Square, and several nonprofit organizations.

County officials are looking to open a second youth center sometime this year.

Meanwhile, Flores has an advice for parents who are struggling to keep their teens away from trouble:

"Just don't give up. Don't give up. And look for the help and just keep knocking on doors."

Current hours are 8 a.m. to midnight Monday-Friday, and walk-ins are welcome. The phone number and website are: (702) 455-6912, www.theharborlv.com. Anyone who interacts with children and families such as ministers, coaches or relatives is encouraged to call The Harbor or visit the facility for help and referrals to local resources.