Duluth - The beginning of a $5 million campus development project at Woodland Hills will be celebrated at the site on Wednesday, May 28 at 10:30 a.m. The "Building Success in Youth" event will include a presentation by community leaders and Woodland Hills’ representatives about the project and what it means for Minnesota’s children and families.

For nearly a century, Woodland Hills has been helping young people and their families heal their lives. The Duluth-based non-profit provides successful delinquency prevention, intervention, treatment and transitional programs for children ages 6 to 17 and their families throughout Minnesota. Its five programs are designed to reduce the risk factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency and build on the strengths and potential in children so that they can lead positive and productive lives.

“The treatment needs of children are increasingly complex,” explained Richard Quigley, the agency’s CEO. “More of the children placed in our care have both behavioral and mental health issues. The behavioral trends of troubled girls reveal significant increases in aggressiveness, assault-type behaviors and personal trauma. All of these children are in need of holistic treatment and we have a plan to address this.”

A 21,500-square-foot addition to Woodland Hills’ main campus building is being built to enhance gender-responsive programming for girls. The refurbishment of existing space will expand capacity and treatment opportunities for boys. Woodland Hills is in the process of raising a portion of the funds and has committed its own monies to the project.

“Our communities cannot afford for any of our children to fail. This project will have a positive impact on our communities since youth in our programs are future employees, friends, relatives, customers, and leaders,” said Quigley.

The new girls-only dormitory should be completed by April 2009, in time for the agency’s 100th year. More than 1,100 children and their families benefit through participation in Woodland Hills programs each year.

• Lakeview design prevents infections from spreading , 8/10/2010
• Five artists honored at festival , 8/9/2010
• St. Mary's, Miller-Dwan Auxiliaries Award Scholarships , 8/6/2010
• Hayward Nursery to Continue Production This Year , 8/6/2010
• President Obama congratulates UMD math student UMD, 8/3/2010