Volunteers for Youth Justice

Description

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) - Specially trained volunteers serve as officers of the court and "friends" to children in need. These volunteer advocates are assigned by judges to speak on behalf of children who have been placed in foster care due to abuse or neglect. Their primary objective is to ensure each child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

Jumpstart - A diversion program providing educational workshops in a support group setting with volunteer facilitators trained to address the needs of at-risk youth. Three specific workshops are offered: Power of Choice, Violence Prevention, and Stamp Out Shoplifting.

Teen Court - A program designed to offer non-violent first-time juvenile offenders the opportunity to be judged by a jury of their peers, accept responsibility for their actions, and make restitution for their offenses.

GEMS (Girls Empowered to Move Successfully) - A mentoring program designed to address the specific needs of young females who are involved in the juvenile justice court system.