S.G., Peer Juror
“After I got arrested, it seemed I was always in the spotlight being questioned. The questions I was being asked by adult authorities seemed abrupt, unnecessary, or not empathetic. However, when I arrived at my Youth Court hearing, my peers seemed to have a better understanding of where I was coming from and even what direction I was heading towards […]. If I did not have a chance to take part in Youth Court I could be in a jail cell dwelling in a past mistake. Instead, I am still in school getting my work done, experiencing new things, learning a thing or two about the judicial system and still have the freedom to be a kid. We are the youth in an adult world, so we need something like Youth Court to be on our side.”
S.A., Peer Juror
“Without Youth Court there would not be another chance for me. All my dreams would probably be over, just because I was around the wrong people and in the wrong place at the wrong time. My dream in the future is to become a lawyer, go to college for law and receive my master’s degree. If there wasn’t a Youth Court it would be hard for me to accomplish my dreams. I am 16 years old and I know what I want for myself. Being on the streets or in jail is not a future for me.”
A.C., Peer Juror
“When I think about it now, I’m glad that I have people behind me helping me go down the right path and helping stay on track with my life and helping me decide whether or not I want to continue high school and graduate out of high school and from there continue my education and go to college. Being in the youth program is like being with family that want to see you do good in life and do even better, and want you to be someone in life.”
F.J., Peer Juror
“Youth Court is very significant to me. There will always be rotten apples in the bunch, but I can proudly say that I am not one. For me Youth Court was a detour that took me off a bad road that was not for me. Since my enrollment in Youth Court my grades have gotten better, my parent-child relationship has grown, and I feel that all around I am becoming a much more sensible person.”
J.B, Peer Juror
“I think that Youth Court is important to a lot of kids because you get a second chance […]. I also think that it can help parents because sometimes they don’t know what’s going on with their children. Sometimes it is because they don’t talk to each other as they should. I think that when you step in Youth Court your whole world changes to you and your family.”
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1 comment:
All youth deserve the opportunity to change the course of their lives. Youth Court provides the structure of positive skill building taught by the only voice some will listen to and understand – their own!
Don't let them down! Show D.C. Youth their future means something to this city.
Thank you to all the youth who are standing up for Youth Court and themselves. Vocalizing your thoughts is a testament to your positive personal power and how it can change the world we all live in.
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