Ohio young people face a range of challenges, but children who find themselves part of the juvenile correctional system are staring down hurdles most of us cannot imagine.

Rather than having some time in a juvenile correctional facility become a life sentence that dampens their opportunities forever, the Ohio Department of Youth Services is working toward providing educational and vocational opportunities for what it calls “justice-involved youth.”

To that end, Gov. Mike DeWine and Department of Youth Services Director Amy Ast attended the opening earlier this month of a new career and technical center at Ralph C. Starkey High School on the campus of DYS’s Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility.

“All kids deserve the opportunity to live up to their full potential, including the justice-involved youth at DYS,” DeWine said. “The youth here have all gone through a lot in their young lives, but because of this new center, they know there are opportunities awaiting them. When they head home, they’ll be leaving here with skills that are in demand and talents that employers are looking for.”

Some of the industry credentials offered at the center are forklift certification, food management and safety, customer service and sales, Adobe certified professional — Photoshop and InDesign, engine repair, construction and carpentry.

“I cannot wait to see what the future holds as we continue to expand on our credentials and partnerships, but I do know the future is a bright one with this career center here at our Circleville facility.” Ast said.

Yes, the future does, indeed, have the potential to be brighter for those who choose to take advantage of the center’s programs. Surely, this is only the beginning.