Between community outreach events and Roll For Youth, we've made a lot of new friends this month!  We hope you're as excited as we are to have you join our family.  Take a moment to check out our website.  If you have any questions about how we're changing lives in our community, reach out to us -- We want to hear from you!

We are truly humbled by the support we felt from our Reach For Youth family.  Thank you to all our sponsors!

Dinner sponsors:

  

Recently, a 15 year-old was arrested for shoplifting, possession of marijuana and resisting/fleeing arrest.  Her parent reported she had failing grades, was skipping class, hanging with the wrong crowd of friends, and isolating herself from her family: The perfect recipe for a dark future filled with bad choices.

 

She was sentenced to Reach For Youth's Teen Court.  Her sentence was 14 hours of community service, attendance at a Peer Pressure Workshop, counseling, a verbal apology to her parent in court, a written apology to the store where she shoplifted, 2 nights of jury duty, and a written research paper on how shoplifting negatively impacts businesses and the community.

 

Within 90 days, she completed her sentence and her counseling treatment plan.  She continues to test negative for drugs and is understanding how it affects her health and self-control.  She has improved motivation and is making better choices, with new friends that have a positive peer impact.  The change has been so remarkable her teachers have even phoned home to comment on her positive behavior. Her parent reports, "I feel my child is getting the support she needs and I am thankful for Reach For Youth."

In April, Reach for Youth received a grant from the Clowes Fund.  Then i n May, the IU Lilly School of Philanthropy's awarded Reach For Youth the Learning by Giving grant. These funds will allow us to grow and strengthen our In-School Teen Court program: an innovative, alternative form of discipline.  Click here to learn more.

Did you know you can help Central Indiana youth and their families while you shop on Amazon?  Click here. Good! Now please bookmark that website and use it each time you shop Amazon and a portion of your purchase will benefit Reach For Youth!

Chris graduated from Manchester University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Criminal Justice.  After gaining experience working with youth and families at Youth Connections as the Program Assistant, he joined the Reach For Youth team in 2003. 

 

As the Diversion Manager, in addition to coordinating the traditional Teen Court program, he facilitates workshops on topics including shoplifting, conflict resolution, peer pressure and teen dating violence. The Teen Court program allows him to combine his passion for working with youth and supporting them in turning mistakes into opportunities for growth and personal development, while helping youth avoid the negative consequences of being adjudicated a delinquent in an official juvenile court.