A visit to one of Florida's juvenile-justice facilities brings both sadness and hope. Here are boys and girls, between the ages of 12 and 17, in lockup because they have committed some offense.

One sees vulnerability, more than hardness, in their eyes. Something has been missing in their lives, and with the proper guidance redemption might be possible. It is not a certainty; but it is the hope.

In a boy's rehabilitative classroom session at one such center, a teacher who wears the uniform of a juvenile-detention officer also gives vital life-skills lessons to these youngsters. He helps them see themselves in a new light; deal with anger; or kindle, perhaps for the first time, compassion for those they have offended.

He understands that the young people may have been physically or emotionally abused. Many of them have a sense of worthlessness or of being unloved.

The officer/teacher understands enough of the complexities of his students' lives to know that their crimes, while requiring the proper response from society, may be a reaction to insufficient attention, caring and guidance that young people desperately need. This officer has become, for the tenure of the incarcerated youths' stay, their surrogate father.

One of the most dangerous epidemics in our country today is the absence of fathers in their children's lives. Tonight, nearly 40 percent of America's children will go to sleep in houses where their fathers do not live. The National Center for Health Statistics found that 29 percent of white and almost three-quarters of black youngsters do not live with their dads. Violent youngsters are 11 times more likely not to have fathers in their homes.

For fathers who are too busy outside of the home, or fall short inside the home, here is the pledge that fathers seeking to improve their parental skills take in out fatherhood program: I promise to treat you and your mother with love, understanding, kindness and respect so you will grow up to do the same for your children.

I will get all the schooling needed to make a good living for my family. To take care of you always and be there. I'll make sure you have plenty of healthy food to eat. You'll have a safe home to live in and clean clothes to wear. To listen without judging when you have a problem or just want someone to talk with. I promise never to hurt you, yell mean words or hit you in anger. To stay away from drugs, alcohol and tobacco and set a good example for you.

Men with spare time to fill "the father gap" that exists in so many homes can become mentors. They can truly make a difference in a child's life. What greater accomplishment can there be?

Susan and Edmund Benson are founders of ARISE (www.atrisk.org), a non-profit organization that provides incarcerated juveniles with life management lessons needed to re-enter society as productive, law abiding citizens.