CALUMET CITY | Instead of fines, some teens who end up in Calumet City's local municipal court could face anger counseling instead.

On Thursday, the Calumet City Council approved paying $25,000 to the Success Center in Lansing to provide a family anger management program and comprehensive services. The program will target those 18 and younger who are cited for minor offenses that are violent or anger-related, said Kelly Anoe, the center's executive director.

"(Fines don't) really reach the root of the problem," Anoe said. "We offer anger management to youth and their parents. They have the option of paying a fine or receiving anger management through the Success Center.

"I think it's a really progressive program on Calumet City's part and taking a lot of initiative to try to prevent serious problems before they occur."

Fourth Ward Alderman Brian Wilson agreed, saying the program should help address the issues behind bad behavior.

"I think (this program is) a much better approach to being able to build a healthy family, as opposed to putting severe fines on them that end up creating more hardship for the family," he said.

The counseling will be in small group sessions for a total of eight hours over the course of about a month, Anoe said.

"We plan on having a representative in attendance at the Calumet City court hearings so the youth and their parent can sign up at that time," she said. "Parents are supposed to attend with the youth. When we designed the program, we felt that was an important component to involve the whole family."

Theresa McCoy, a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an attorney and a community outreach minister for Brothers Keepers Outreach Ministry, complained about the fines during a February council meeting and met with the mayor to discuss her concerns. She said it was good news the city is implementing the program.

"It shows we can really work together and we care for the youth, because it is really sad when they don't think anybody is for them," she said. "It sends a negative statement about adults."

Second Ward Alderman Leni Wosczynski said the program is a good start.

"I think what we are here for is to help the youth," Wosczynski said. "Some youth might not realize that."