Though the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has assisted with funding for the program, sociology professor and YSS director Herman DeBose said the theater project will face a shutdown after spring 2005 if new monies are not found to support it.

"We are exhausting every avenue in order to keep this valuable program operating," he said, "but time is running out."

The theater project takes place on the CSUN campus, introducing San Fernando Valley youths aged 13-18 years to an experience outside of their local environments. CSUN students work with DeBose and Doug Kaback, CSUN theatre lecturer, in teaching and sharing their knowledge with the high school students. Creative dramatics, scriptwriting and play production all are program components.

The YSS Collaboration Art, Theater and Leisure Study Initiative was developed and implemented in spring 2002 in an effort to help prevent youth recidivism by creating alternative programs, DeBose said. Funding restrictions limited the program to the theater component for the 2005 spring semester.

"Students who complete the program exhibit a reduction in risky behavior," DeBose said. "They are measurably more receptive to guidelines imposed by society and display improved life management skills. Importantly, they come away with appetites whetted for higher education."