Youth Diagnostic and Development Center

Keshet operates an extensive Outreach Program within the Youth Diagnostic and Development Center (YDDC).  For the past two years, Keshet staff has been collaborating with the High School Teaching Faculty housed within the facility along with the Social Service Teams and Mental Health Director at YDDC. 

Through this team effort, Keshet has developed a unique, tailor-made curriculum where dance is used to teach literacy skills, math skills and conflict resolution skills as part of the incarcerated youths’ daily school schedule. Many of these students are unable to learn in a traditional classroom setting, have violent behaviors, and have incredibly low self-esteem.  Keshet’s unique curriculum and dedicated instructors address all of these issues. 

Keshet works closely with YDDC supervising staff and teaching faculty to track student progress.  We have found that the participating youth have developed a stronger and more positive sense of themselves, a willingness to help and support each other, an ability to diffuse conflict amongst their peers and fellow inmates, a higher level of academic confidence, and perhaps most importantly a belief that there might be another, more positive path for them once they are released from the detention center.