The foundation of my 22 years of experience in rehabilitation with an 85% success rate.

Straight Ahead implements rehabilitation programs in 17 states and 5 countries.

I have been a volunteer with Straight Ahead for 22 years. My wife and I are its longest standing associates. We have worked inside and also helped provide follow up and change by placing men and women who have returned to the community with the resources necessary to lead productive lives.

Over the years I have worked with this Worcester based organization as it has spread and grown throughout 17 states and 5 countries earning the respect of law enforcement, probation, and parole, along with lock up facilities world wide.
President Obama’s head of faith based initiatives has received a certificate for attending our courses.
Dr. Scott Larson, the founder of Straight Ahead has lectured and given courses to the Federal Justice System in Washington D.C. Straight Ahead has earned federal recognition and because of the effectiveness of our programs Straight Ahead has been awarded funding to continue its work throughout the country; administering its programs in institutions to maximize the results and reduce recidivism.

Last year bought a historic change to the mentality of how these programs can work. At the Essex County House of Correction Straight Ahead held a 3 day Discovery Program, (that I hold a certificate in) brought 2 gangs, the Blood and the Crypts together for extensive exercises without any incidents. This astonished the correction officers along with the jail administration, as these to groups are the most dangerous and oppositional in the country. Read Ready4Life, Straight Ahead's account of this story
These programs, I will bring with me to the Worcester County Jail and house of Correction.

The city of Lynn has one of the largest gang populations in the State of Massachusetts and, since the opening of our center there and working with police and gangs, Straight Ahead has been credited by the Police Department for a 60% decrease in gang violence.

My experience in reform and rehabilitation gives me the advantage in this area. With so many years of experience you can be assured that I will continue to strive for rehabilitation and implementing programs that will increase the safety of Worcester County. I know what works and how it is done.

"As your next Sheriff I will act swiftly and accurately to implement these changes and make our communities safer"

Endorsements Here's what others are saying about Straight Ahead:

"Straight Ahead Ministries is making strides in curbing the cycle of juvenile crime in the city of Boston. They are connecting troubled youth to positive adult role models in an effort to produce strong leaders for tomorrow's society. They provide holistic services to juvenile offenders while they are in institutions and after they are released."

- Mayor Thomas Menino, City of Boston

"I have been involved with this program since its inception and can attest to their credibility and commitment to improving the lives of troubled youth in Massachusetts."

- Barbara Morton, Massachusetts Department of Youth Services

"Straight Ahead Ministries has become part of a team effort in assisting the rehabilitation of the youth in our care by providing caring volunteers who intervene as adult role models."

- Yvonne Sampson, Georgia Department of Children and Youth Services

"I have known Scott and Hanne Larson for more than 15 years and have watched as they have dug deep in a youth ministry culture doing faithful, substantial youth ministry with kids in prisons and juvenile homes in the New England area. Theirs is a ministry rooted in a passion for Christ and the shepherd's heart that will not rest until someone has gone out to seek for the one lost sheep."

- Duffy Robbins, Director of Youth Ministry Program at Eastern College, St. Davids, Pennsylvania

"You can't be with Scott long without sensing three things: they love troubled kids deeply, they are passionate followers of Jesus Christ, and they base their wisdom on Biblical principles and the leading of the Holy Spirit. This foundation and hard effort have seen more than one young convicted murderer through the long road back to productive living."

- Dean Borgman, Professor of Youth Ministries, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Wenham, Massachusetts

"As a state agency that has control and authority in the lives of juvenile delinquents, we can only get so far. We have benefited immensely from our partnership with Straight Ahead Ministries. Their ability to initiate a relationship with these young people while they are in placement and to carry that work over into the community makes sense and is effective. Youth and actively and enthusiastically involved, They are signing up for these programs and the feedback has been fantastic."

- Peter Forbes, Massachusetts Department of Youth Services