Westchester County's only alternative to incarceration program for young offenders. We rescue appropriate youth 18-24 from the county's adult jail system. The Youth Shelter Program of Westchester (YSOW) is the only organization in New York State to serve as an alternative to incarceration for youth ages 18-25 within the criminal justice system. The Youth Shelter Program of Westchester (YSOW) is the only organization in New York State to serve as an alternative to incarceration for youth ages 18-25 within the criminal justice system. More than 40 years after the founding of YSOW, a pioneer in providing an alternative to incarceration programming for young people involved in the criminal justice system, our current leadership recognized the need for further disruption. YSOW’s historic focus on the individual has been critical in helping to heal individual trauma and to provide a path forward for young people involved in the justice system. The model has been effective in reducing recidivism, improving public safety, saving public dollars, & providing a structure of discipline and accountability for young people.