VSC at a Detention Facility

One of the more unusual speaking requests we've received was from the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center to speak at several of their classes.  This is, essentially, a detention facility for juveniles who have been involved with the law.

One of the teachers there found out about the VSC and requested that we speak specifically on being vegetarian, eating in a more healthy way, or similar topics.  We spoke to two groups, each of about a dozen students each, one class of boys and one of girls from about 13 to 18. We chose a British video, "Food Without Fear" to show to them, followed up by questions and further discussion.

The video made quite an impression on the students. One girl, upon seeing the slaughterhouse scenes (which are relatively mild compared to, say, "Meet Your Meat") immediately burst into tears and had to leave the room.  She declared her intention to become a vegetarian on the spot.  Since hot dogs were on the menu at lunch, she had to talk to her teacher about it, who had to arrange for something else for her to eat.   

Speaking to this group was not that much different from speaking to any other high school class, except for the circumstances which brought them there.   We enjoy this form of outreach whenever we are invited.  If you know of any classrooms where we could speak, please call the VSC at 303-777-4828. 

-- Kate Lawrence and Keith Akers