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25Grove City Area Chamber Community Guide Vol. VI 2015-2017 If not us then who -Losasso For the young men who come to George Junior Republic this destination represents their last opportunity before landing in a much more punitive situation. They will find themselves in a state system locked up behind a fence said Richard Rick Losasso Chief Executive Officer of George Junior Republic. Though the picture may seem bleak Losasso who has been with the organization for 37 years feels strongly about the good work that goes on at George Junior Republic. We are making a significant difference in every kid who comes here he said. With a capacity for 525 youth between the ages of nine and 18 and a workforce that is 700 strong their resident to staff ratio might sound like overkill. However a deeper understanding of the George Junior Republic population shows why it makes all the sense in the world. Youth from three distinct profiles are placed there court adjudicated delinquent boys who have been arrested court adjudicated dependent boys who have been removed from a home or community due to abuse or neglect and those who are referred through a managed care organization for mental health issues. Losasso notes a marked difference in the youth of today compared with those of 20 years ago. Were seeing a lot more with physical health issues such as heart disease and diabetes about 30 percent have some form of obesity and 70 percent are on medication to help manage behavioral issues. In response to the ever changing needs of their residents George Junior Republic continually invests in the resources necessary to help guide them toward a new path in life. Losasso believes that in order for their youth to be successful in this environment there needs to be the right combination of physical plant treatment programs and people implementing those programs. Over the past two decades George Junior Republic has invested 40 million in their facility including the construction of a new school in 2010. The 500-acre property is designed to keep the youth stimulated and engaged in healthy activities and features two student unions two theaters a game arcade art studio indoor and outdoor swimming pools a riding center with 15 horses gyms and a campus commissary. Through the years theyve learned much about structuring environments that are conducive to managing their residents. Well-lit buildings designed with wide hallways and high ceilings work best especially with our more trying youth said Losasso. Slated for the future is a multi-functional building that will house their check-in center and a recreational complex. Positioning Youth to Succeed