The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has launched Project Y.O.U. (Youth Outreach Unified), a new pilot after-school program designed to support local teens through structured activities and mentorship.
The initiative, announced in early March 2026, targets Charles County residents ages 12-17. It begins April 7, 2026, and runs through May 27, 2026, meeting Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center, located at 90 Post Office Road in Waldorf, Maryland. Each session includes a provided meal for participants.
Project Y.O.U. focuses on building essential life skills, offering academic support, developing leadership abilities, promoting physical fitness, and incorporating hands-on activities. These elements aim to help teens gain confidence and make positive decisions. The program brings together Sheriff’s Office officers and other agency employees to engage directly with youth in a supportive environment.
The effort stems from the Sheriff’s Youth Engagement Unit. Officers researched a comparable program in Kansas City, Kansas, to adopt proven best practices. They also designed an outreach vehicle for community events and produced informational videos and graphics to promote the program to families. This preparation reflects the unit’s commitment to youth development.
Sheriff Troy D. Berry emphasized the program’s value in a statement: “We are invested in our youth and in this community. Project Y.O.U. gives our youth an opportunity to grow, learn, and lead. Thanks to the officers who researched, planned, and created this program, and with the support of Charles County Parks and Recreation, we’re ready to launch the pilot and look forward to expanding it in the future.”
The pilot limits enrollment to 30 participants, assigned on a first-come, first-served basis according to eligibility criteria. After the initial session concludes, officials plan to evaluate results and pursue expansion to reach more young people.
Project Y.O.U. joins other Sheriff’s Office youth programs, including after-school mentoring, the Youth Advisory Council, the School Resource Officer program, Teen Court, and summer camps. These initiatives collectively demonstrate ongoing efforts to connect law enforcement with the community through positive youth engagement.
Registration remains open until March 23, 2026, at 3 p.m. Parents or guardians will receive notification of acceptance by March 26, 2026, at 3 p.m. A mandatory orientation session for both parents/guardians and children is scheduled for April 7, 2026.
The program requires participants to be Charles County residents and fall within the specified age range. Interested families can access registration details through official Sheriff’s Office channels.
This launch highlights proactive steps by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office to foster youth success and strengthen community ties in Southern Maryland.