The first floor of Hamilton County Juvenile Court's Youth Center in Mount Auburn is austere and utilitarian. Heavy doors lock shut behind you. Mostly blank cinderblock walls lead you down hallways to various parts of the facility.

But when you walk through its cavernous gym and out a side door, you find yourself in a different world entirely.

It's a sunny July day and vibrant color is spilling out from simple wooden raised beds in the large courtyard.

There are yellow coneflowers, big clumps of glowing purple globe amaranth, and the first blushes of bright red tomatoes peaking out from various shades of green. Bees, butterflies, and even the occasional hummingbird dart through the garden.

'An experience I'd never had'

The youth center holds about 160 young people who are facing charge

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