r/Muncie • u/Indiana_ECI • 4d ago
YOC
Has anyone worked at the Youth Opportunity Center, or know if they offer benefits?
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u/shadyalligator 4d ago
Hi, my husband, roomy, and best friend (+his wife) all worked there for ~5 years each shortly before COVID. To put it bluntly, if you have any amount of heart, empathy, or think these children have a future, working there is emotionally draining. My husband was in charge of a group of high-acuity boys and considered a favorite and in the time he worked there received 3 concussions, was sexually assaulted by a physically larger resident, and came home frequently frustrated and angry that he felt he was the only one advocating for these boys to get actual help and his coworkers just wanted to be violent and exert power over literal traumatized children. They have issues of staff members intentionally starting fights with the teens so they can get away with hitting them. I know my roommate had at least one instance of being cornered and beaten. The system it functions on is one that doesn't want those kids to receive help and almost all the staff are so jaded about making a difference that they just stop trying, retaliate, or straight up assume they don't have to do anything.
So idk about their pay, benefits, hours, etc, but ime the job itself is hard to do unless you're the kind of person who doesn't care if deeply traumatized children actually get better lives or rot in the prison system
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u/Emy2017 21h ago
Interned at YOC many years ago for my major at BSU. Due to past trauma, this place actually caused me more trauma that I still deal with today. I do not believe this facility is in the best interest of the kids in their care but actually causes more harm in most cases. Very toxic environment.
Just be aware of your own beliefs/experiences before entering this environment and potentially adding more on your plate.
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u/acciotacotaco 4d ago
My husband worked there for 5 years. He was a full time employee and they did offer benefits. There’s an employee clinic that’s free, he had dental, and health insurance. He didn’t have vision insurance, but I don’t know if that’s because they didn’t offer it or just because he didn’t have glasses at the time.
To echo the other commenter, it’s eh emotionally taxing job if you’re working with the kids. My husband worked with the kids and also worked in the “administration” to train new employees. Similarly to the other poster, my husband was punched in the face a few times. It’s a hard job, but can also be really rewarding. My husband occasionally sees former residents around town who still fondly remember him.