D.C.

A city program's deadly failures: D.C. YouthLink investigation

August 19, 2012 - 11:06 pm

When DC YouthLink launched in 2010, some called it revolutionary. It aimed to transform teen offenders without locking them up.

From 2010 through 2011, it received more than $14 million in funding.

However, over that period, 15 of its youths were murdered. 15 more were arrested for murder. And of the more than 750 served by the program, just 13 graduated from high school.

In this exclusive ABC 7 I-Team investigation, we shine a light on what went wrong.

Ben Eisler combed through the documents and talked to dozens of sources. We've provided documents and links to each part below.

The Story

Part 1: A city program's deadly failures

Part 2: Exciting beginnings, bungled implementation

Part 3: A lack of services and accountability

Part 4: Charges of cronyism

Part 5: The city responds - "We are very proud"

Part 6: A call for action

The Documents

Document 1: DC YouthLink internal reports

Document 2: DC YouthLink expenditures

Document 3: Funds paid without documentation

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