Marvin W Foote Youth Services Center

Marvin Foote Youth Service Center, located at 13500 E Freemont Avenue, Englewood, opened in 1997, and serves as the youth detention center for the counties of Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln.  (Cities within that geographical area include, but are not limited to Aurora, Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Limon, Parker, and Strasburg.) When it first opened, Marvin Foote was serving up to 108 coed youths, aged 10 – 17 who were detained on an average basis, 2 -3 weeks.  However, because of recent changes at the state level, the facility is limited to a daily population level of 35 youths, and roughly 900 young people will be processed each year.

Like other detention centers, youths who are detained at the facility remain there until a decision is made by the courts regarding the nature of any alleged criminal act the youth may have committed, and the appropriate consequences.  Typically, this process is completed within 3 – 4 weeks, but some youths have been confined for much longer periods of time when their charges require it.  Youths are housed in different units based on factors including age, gang affiliation, gender, and the nature of their alleged crime(s).

All youths confined at the facility have access to several services and programs including education, basic medical care, legal services, mental health, physical exercise, and spiritual support.  Families are encouraged to visit whenever possible, but these visits may be limited, based on a youth’s behavior while at the facility.

Denver Area Youth for Christ has provided religious services, Bible studies, and pastoral care to the youths on a voluntary basis since the facility opened.  Their Chaplains have provided oversight, supervision, and training to a variety of churches and individuals who have faithfully ministered at the facility.

Learn more about Juvenile Justice Ministries at yfcdenver.org/juvenile-justice-ministry