MacLaren Youth Beading the Odds

Beading the Odds is a group at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn where young men exercise their creative skills by beading. Volunteer Juanita Garnow Olson, who has worked with the group for the past two years, says that while she knows no single activity can turn around a troubled young person's life, many of the youth make jewelry gifts to give to family and friends, fulfilling a need to give back. The youth also have opportunities to sell their beaded products and use the money for education, restitution to their victims, or for child support. With the support of the Portland Bead Society, their work will be for sale at the Gathering of the Guilds at the Portland Convention Center on April 24, 25, and 26th. Kathleen Fullerton, M.S. Ed Project Coordinator, Hope Partnership, Janus Youth Programs, Inc., oversees the group. http://www.oregon.gov/oya/pages/facilities/maclaren.aspx