Growing up in a rough neighborhood, without a father, and losing a best friend to gun violence, Harbor Heights Superintendent Kendrick ‘Ken’ Rochelle hopes to inspire young people by showing them that regardless of where they come from, there is always hope.
“Some of the stories they have, I have. The difference is the seat I sit in now, which required me to take the right path and work hard,” said Rochelle, who will lead Washington’s newest juvenile rehabilitation facility.
Rochelle brings 26 years of juvenile rehabilitation experience to Harbor Heights, starting his career as an entry level correctional officer and moving up the ranks before becoming a superintendent during his tenures in Ohio, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas.
He also brings years of experience mentoring young people and pushing them to greatness as a high school football coach.
“It’s like I have played every position, so I can empathize with my staff because I’ve been in similar shoes,” says Rochelle. “Much like football, it takes a team to succeed.”
Rochelle says he was drawn to the educational, trade, and work opportunities young people have at DCYF facilities. He also looks forward to building a culture that revolves around safety and allows young people to take on leadership skills, build accountability, and create future paths for success.
“You have to show young people that violence is not the answer,” said Rochelle. “We want to change their thinking, so they are productive and leave our facilities having built a different future with reasons not to come back.”
Rochelle has met dozens of young people at Green Hill over the last few weeks as part of recruitment efforts for Harbor Heights’ first cohort. For those who have met Rochelle, it comes as no surprise that after meeting him, many young people have shown an interest in applying to Harbor Heights.
“You have to chip away the walls to build relationships, be genuine, and consistently show up for these young people,” said Rochelle. “It’s a balance. You have to be firm, fair, caring, and consistent.”
Though Harbor Heights will not resolve Green Hill’s overcrowding challenges, the opening of the facility provides some immediate relief and, more importantly, harbors hope. The initial cohort will include eight young people and increase to 46 over time.
“Harbor Heights will give young people and staff some breathing room at Green Hill to work on the treatment they need,” said Rochelle. “I believe that change can happen. It can’t rain forever.”
Harbor Heights is set to open early June. The young men at the facility will receive leadership and therapy skills they can use when they transition to another facility or return to the community. Programming will also include automotive training and peer counseling certification.
“Harbor Heights is going to look different than our other JR facilities, but this is what brought me to Washington,” said Rochelle. “The tools we are giving these young men and the space to put it to practice is what rehabilitation is all about.”