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African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities (AFCAMP)
Hartford, CT
$40,000

Advocacy Training & Support to Families

To support the salaries of parent advocates to provide outreach, family support and training to Hartford, Waterbury, and New Haven parents of children with disabilities who are involved in or at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system. This grant enables the staff to handle individual cases and to conduct monthly trainings and workshops designed to inform parents about state and federal education, juvenile justice and mental health policies and practices. Intended Results: 200 parents and caregivers will be better informed and able to advocate on behalf of their children’s educational, health and legal rights, improving the children’s chances of getting the services they need to be successful in school and stay out of the juvenile justice system. Twenty parents will be trained to represent AFCAMP and families at school, court hearing and government meetings.

Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition (BCAC)
Bridgeport, CT
$50,000

Unrestricted Funding

To support general support for this advocacy agency, which is a coalition of 80 area organizations committed to improving the lives of Bridgeport's 35,000 children and their families through research, community planning, education and mobilization. BCAC’s three task forces identify gaps in services and proposes solutions relating to such issues as children's health and mental health, education and early childhood development, school dropout rates and disciplinary practices, teen parenting, family economic success, affordable housing, child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, violence prevention and maternal substance abuse. It publishes an annual report called "State of the Child in Bridgeport" and hosts an annual Bridgeport Children's Issues Forum to help influence public policies and improve services for children. Intended Results: Unrestricted funding will enable BCAC to direct resources to unfunded or underfunded priority projects and to react nimbly to crises or unanticipated issues, improving the impact of their advocacy efforts.

Capitol Region Education Council
Hartford, CT
$37,000

Truancy Court Prevention Project (TCPP)

To support a truancy court and case management services for youth with significant absences who attend an elementary school and two middle schools in Hartford with high truancy rates. An educational specialist evaluates the needs of 60 targeted truant elementary or middle school youths and prepares their individual education plans. Case managers from the Village for Families and Children in Hartford work directly with these students and their families. An attorney from the Center for Children’s Advocacy at the University of Connecticut School of Law represents students who have legal and special education issues. Intended Results: 45 (75%) of students served will stay in school and improve their attendance, engage in after-school programs sponsored by TCPP and increase their self-awareness and resiliency skills as measured by the Healthy Kids Resiliency Assessment tool.

Center for Children’s Advocacy (CCA)
Hartford, CT
$50,000 (third installment of a three-year, $150,000 grant)

TeamChild Project and Juvenile Justice Initiative

To support TeamChild, a legal advocacy project in cooperation with the Hartford Juvenile Public Defender's Office. Also, to support the Center's advocacy and oversight efforts on behalf of all children in the juvenile justice system, with particular emphasis on girls’ issues and gender-specific programming, and its leadership in a truancy court prevention project at three Hartford schools designed to increase attendance and reduce the dropout rate. (See grant to Capitol Regional Education Council.) Intended Results: CCA will help 50 youths to obtain the educational and mental health services to which they are entitled, keep the majority from deeper involvement in the juvenile justice system, particularly residential placement, and protect minority children from unfair dispositions based on race.

Child Guidance Center of Greater Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT
$30,000

Strategic Intervention for High Risk Youth (SIHRY) Program

To support a family mentoring and enrichment program for youth ages 9 to 13 from the East Side of Bridgeport who are at risk of academic failure, truancy, criminal behavior and substance abuse. SIHRY family mentors provide a minimum of six months of services to 25 youths, mostly Latino, identified by school staff, probation officers or police. They make home visits, monitor the youths' academic performance and behavior in school, communicate with and support parents, and attend school and treatment planning meetings. The University of Colorado's Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence is evaluating SIHRY as a potential "Blueprint Model" evidence-based program. Intended Results: 20 (80%) of the youths served will improve their grades, behavior and school attendance, and will not be involved in the juvenile justice system.

The Children’s Center at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility
Bedford Hills, NY
$40,000

The Teen Program

To provide transportation and activities for the adolescent children of female inmates. The program, which annually serves 40 youths ages 9 to 18, is designed to preserve and strengthen the family ties between inmates and their children. Staff and volunteers advocates schools to address the youths' educational needs to help them stay in school, provide recreation and counseling services for the youth, and conduct parenting classes for the mothers. The mothers have leadership and decision-making roles in the program. Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services of Brooklyn, NY serves as the fiduciary for this program. Intended Results: 36 (90%) of the youths will maintain consistent visitation with their mothers and 32 (80%) will avoid conflicts in school, maintain respectful relationships with peers in the program, and engage in group activities.

Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic
New Haven, CT
$50,000

Intensive Outpatient Services for Youth with Problem Sexual Behavior

To support intensive outpatient therapeutic services for 70 youths ages 6 to 18 who are referred by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families or the court for problem sexual behavior. Three-quarters of the youth have juvenile or adult criminal records. Each youth receives individual, group and family therapy, social skills development, supervised recreational activities and life skills counseling during a minimum 18 months of treatment. This grant also supports the extended day treatment program for youth with borderline intellectual functioning. Intended Results: Within six to 12 months of program participation, 56 (80%)of the youths will agree with their clinicians on their progress, including increased empathy for their victims, identifying and discussing their feelings and needs, and developing positive and age-appropriate peer relationships.

Connecticut Ballet
Stamford, CT
$35,000

Juvenile Justice Outreach and Mentoring Program

To support a community-based mentoring and arts training program for eight youths ages 12 to 16 discharged from one of five Connecticut juvenile detention centers who participated in Connecticut Ballet classes at these facilities. The 16-week after-care program enables the youth to work with a mentor, continue to grow their talents, and receive a weekly stipend for assisting the teachers in the community program. This grant also supports the salaries of the Director of Education and the Mentoring Program Coordinator to oversee the juvenile justice dance and drumming programs. Intended Results: Eight (100%) of the youths will develop their artistic skills, have an outlet for creative expression, be engaged in a pro-social activity, and remain free of re-involvement with the juvenile justice system.

Connecticut Center for Effective Practice
Farmington, CT
$33,000 (second installment of a two-year, $65,000 grant)

Evaluation of the Truancy Court Prevention Project

To support the development of data collection protocols, training of staff and evaluation of the attendance and academic outcomes for youth who participate in a school-based, truancy prevention program in Hartford compared to a control group. (See grant to Capitol Regional Education Council) The youth, who voluntarily participate in this program to avoid juvenile court involvement, had 20 or more absences from school. The grant also supports the development of a procedures manual to enhance program fidelity and ease replication. The Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut serves as the host of and fiduciary for this organization. Intended Results: This professional evaluation will help the Truancy Court Prevention Project partners to understand their roles, improve communication, implement appropriate tools to collect and monitor outcome data, and confirm the effectiveness of this program in improving the attendance, behavior and academic performance of the participating youth, ultimately reducing their risks for dropping out or getting more deeply involved in the justice system.

Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance (CTJJA)
Bridgeport, CT
$50,000 (second installment of a two-year, $100,000 grant)

Unrestricted Funding

To strengthen CTJJA's advocacy, communications and youth and family organizing efforts to promote juvenile justice reform in Connecticut. CTJJA's priorities include addressing the overrepresentation of minorities in the juvenile justice system, advocating for a change in the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 16 to 18 and supporting the closure of the Connecticut Juvenile Training School. RYASAP serves as the host of and fiduciary for the Alliance. Intended Results: CTJJA will build the skills of its staff; improve communication among providers, policymakers and advocates; increase its visibility through public events and improved Internet and communications tools, and be a more effective advocate on critical reform issues that face increasing opposition due to the state budget deficit.

Connecticut Legal Services (CLS)
Middletown, CT
$50,000

Stop the School to Prison Pipeline (STOPP) Project

To provide legal representation to youth with disabilities ages 3 to 21 who are suspended, expelled or referred to juvenile court for disciplinary issues by Waterbury or New Haven schools and to advocate for reform of school disciplinary policies. Attorneys use assessments by a private educational consultant to help 40 youths obtain the educational services and accommodations to which they are entitled, and, wherever possible, overturn suspensions and expulsions. They also represent and advocate for those youth involved with Juvenile Court on disciplinary matters related to their school issues. CLS partners with the New Haven Legal Assistance Association on this project, which is a replication of the TeamChild program provided in Hartford by the Center for Children's Advocacy at the University of Connecticut School of Law. Intended Results: Thirty of the 40 youths assisted will obtain services to address their individualized education needs, improve their grades and attendance, not experience expulsions, or obtain dispositions from the court that keep them in the community and out of detention or residential placement.

Connecticut Voices for Children
New Haven, CT
$30,000 (third installment of a three-year, $90,000 grant)

Fellowship in Juvenile Justice and Related Issues

To support a fellowship program for a recent college graduate that offers hands-on policy work experience in the areas of juvenile justice, foster care, mental health and education. The fellow conducts research on critical juvenile justice, child welfare, and school disciplinary policies and practices to help inform legislators, government officials, and advocates; collects data and prepares reports; attends Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance meetings, and helps Connecticut Voices' staff prepare and present testimony before the Connecticut legislature. Intended Results: The work of the fellow will strengthen and increase Connecticut Voices’ capacity to research and advocate on juvenile justice and related issues. The fellow will develop the skills to be an expert on these issues and a leader in these fields in the future.

The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT
$40,000

Bridgeport East Side Work and Learn Project

To support a job readiness and life skills program for 22 middle school students from the East Side of Bridgeport who are identified by school personnel as having a high risk for school failure and involvement with the juvenile justice system. In this program, students take field trips to local businesses and attend workshops with local entrepreneurs, learn to create small businesses, take on leadership roles, and make decisions about the use of any profits, increasing their understanding of how their education is related to future employment. The youth receive weekly stipends based on behavior and participation. Intended Results: 20 (90%) of the youths will reduce their risk factors for referral to the juvenile justice system, 19 (85%) will improve their behavior and academic performance, and 21 (95%) will not be arrested during the program year.

The Janus Center for Youth in Crisis

$20,000

To provide short-term shelter, counseling and other services to 50 youths ages 11 to 17 at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system. These youth are referred by Juvenile Probation , schools, families, or social service agencies due to behaviors or family situations that put them at risk of court involvement. Typical issues include truancy, defiance of school rules, indecent or immoral conduct, running away or being beyond control of the family. This diversion project was created to address the families' needs and prevent the commitment of the youth to detention or another setting outside the home. Intended Results: 20 (90%) of the youths will reduce their risk factors for referral to the juvenile justice system, 19 (85%) will improve their behavior and academic performance, and 21 (95%) will not be arrested during the program year.

Creative Alternatives of New York
New York, NY
$30,000

Drama Therapy and Training Program at The Children's Center

To support a therapeutic drama program for 50 youths ages 11 to 18 receiving residential substance abuse and/or mental health services at The Children's Center of Hamden, Connecticut. Trained drama therapists combine theatre arts with group counseling to help these troubled youth develop and strengthen interpersonal relationships, express feelings, recognize negative emotional states, and build self-esteem and confidence. In addition, this grant supports trainings for The Children's Center staff and an all-day drama therapy conference and a 12-week certificate training program for local artists and service providers who work with troubled youth and are interested in replicating this drama therapy program. Intended Results: 35 (70%) of the youth will learn how to understand the verbal and nonverbal emotions of others, will improve their communication skills and will demonstrate problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. In addition, five youth workers from one or more Connecticut social service agencies will be trained in the CANY model.

The Danbury Regional Child Advocacy Center
Danbury, CT
$25,000

Parent Aide Program

To provide weekly home visits and regular telephone contact by trained mentors with eight low-income parents or other adult caregivers who are identified by state and local sources as at risk of child abuse or neglect. The program helps clients develop the skills to meet the emotional, physical and psychological needs of the children in their care. This grant extends the service for four months beyond the term funded by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. Intended Results: Of the 115 families the entire Parent Aide Program will serve, 98 (85%) will improve their parenting skills and demonstrate improved family functioning and 104 (90%) will identify and access community resources their families need to be successful.

Dispute Settlement Center (DSC)
Wilton, CT
$45,000

Juvenile Mediation Program

To support a mediation program at four juvenile courts around Connecticut serving low-level offenders up to age 16 and the victims of their crimes. The program expects to handle 120 cases involving more than 200 victims, offenders and supporters. Failure by the offender to comply with the terms of the agreement would return the case to court for prosecution. This grant also supports the creation of two school-based mediation programs, including interventions for students serving in-school suspension. Intended Results: 114 (95%) of the referred cases will reach agreements, 108 (90%) of the victims and offenders will be satisfied with the mediation process, and the recidivism rate for offenders one year post-agreement will be under 15%, significantly lower than that of those cases heard in court.

Domus Foundation
Stamford, CT
$50,000

High School Family Advocates Program

To support the salary of the director of this program, which provides case management services to struggling students ages 13 to 20 attending a charter high school, a program for suspended and expelled youth, and two mainstream high schools in Stamford. The family advocates, who have average caseloads of 40 students, make home visits, attend school meetings with the students, and connect families to appropriate community resources, among other services. The director of the Family Advocates Program serves as a liaison between the families, the schools and Juvenile Probation. Intended Results: 80% of students assisted by a family advocate will improve their behavior (measured by fewer suspensions, detentions and interventions), improve their school attendance, and be connected to a community resource for at least six months.

Duke University
Durham, NC
$5,000

“The Social State of Connecticut 2008” Report.

To support the research and publication of a special section entitled “Young People and the Law” documenting trends impacting youth in the state’s juvenile and adult justice systems. Research collect data on nine social indicators, including arrest patterns, juvenile court dispositions and detention and incarceration statistics. The Connecticut data is analyzed over time and compared with other states and the national average. Intended Results: Data from these indicators will be distributed to legislators and other policy makers, as well as the public, and will help inform and influence them to adopt system reforms that research shows will improve outcomes for youth.

FSW
Bridgeport, CT
$50,000 (third installment of a three-year, $150,000 grant)

Juvenile Case Management Collaborative

To provide case management, job training and job-readiness skills to 14 youths ages 11 to 17 on probation or parole or at high risk of delinquent behavior. The youth participate in and receive stipends for apprenticeships at the Youth Business Center in such areas as boat-building, guitar-making, music and video production, cosmetology and clothing design. Youth learn how to fill out job applications and properly conduct themselves on job interviews and in the workplace. Intended Results: 14 (100%) of the youths will improve their prospects of retaining and holding a job and will not be rearrested during their time in the program. At least four will be placed in meaningful jobs with local businesses.

Families in Crisis
Hartford, CT
$35,000

Fatherhood Initiative Program

To support the salary of a caseworker to provide parenting classes and individual counseling for 50 fathers ages 16 to 20 committed to the Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire, an adult prison, and to provide aftercare services when they transition back to their communities from prison. The caseworker meets with families during the fathers' incarceration and also accompanies the fathers on visits with their children after they leave the institution. Case management services are provided for three months post-discharge. Intended Results: 40 (80%) of the fathers will demonstrate increased knowledge regarding financial and emotional support of their children and will exhibit positive attitudes toward parenting. For the three months post-discharge from prison, 37 (75%) of the fathers will maintain weekly contact with their children.

Family Centers
Greenwich, CT
$18,000

Mediation Encourages New Direction (MEND) Program

To support a parent-teen mediation program designed to reduce family conflicts and address the underlying issues that place 25 adolescents ages 12 to 18 at risk of court involvement. Referrals come from a community diversion program called the Juvenile Review Board, Juvenile Probation, schools, courts, social service agencies and families themselves. Intended Results: 19 (75%) of the parent/teen pairs served will diminish the level of conflict compared to the period prior to mediation and demonstrate the ablility to communicate better with each other. In addition, referrals to the program will increase by 65% over the prior year due largely to increased public awareness of the services through outreach.

Family ReEntry
Norwalk, CT
$40,000

Fresh Start Beacon Ex-Offender Mentoring Project

To support the salary of the program coordinator (an adult ex-offender) to train and mentor eight other ex-offenders as role models and mentors for 24 youths involved in or at risk of involvement with the justice system. All the youth will be taught appropriate social skills. This grant also supports stipends for the mentors, rent for the training space and the services of a professional advisor to the program coordinator on administrative matters. Intended Results: 18 (75%) of the youth served will not be involved in violence at school or in the community; 12 (50%) will avoid gang membership; 19 (80%) will not recidivate and 12 (50%) will be linked to employment opportunities.

Groundwork Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT
$25,000

Green Team

To support the summer component of this landscape maintenance training program for 12 adjudicated or high-risk high school students. The program aims to keep youth in school, advance their life and job readiness skills, and prepare them for employment in the horticultural field. The summer internships are part of a two-year, school-based horticulture program that provides motivated youth with teaching opportunities and hands-on landscaping and gardening experience through projects designed to enhance public spaces and the properties of senior citizens. This grant also supports college scholarships for graduating seniors. Intended Results: 12 (100%) of the youths will actively participate in at least 80% of the training classes and work days and demonstrate knowledge of basic gardening and horticulture skills. All undergraduates will advance to the next grade. At least one student will be awarded a scholarship to attend a community or a four-year college.

Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services
Westport, CT
$40,000

Justice for Juveniles Behavioral Health Treatment Program

To provide mental health and family support services to youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Hall-Brooke conducts a two-week, state-funded, intensive mental health evaluation of detained youth. This grant enables the agency to provide eight weeks of additional counseling and case management to 50 youths for whom appropriate follow-up services could not be found elsewhere in the community. The youth are monitored for two years for recidivism, hospitalization, school performance and compliance with aftercare plans. Intended Results: There will be a decrease in arrests and hospitalizations of 70% during the grant period compared to the period prior to program involvement. In addition, program participants will have a 70% improvement in academic performance.

Human Services Council of Mid-Fairfield
Norwalk, CT
$40,000

Dr. Robert E. Appleby School-Based Health Center at Briggs High School

To support the salaries of the health and mental health staff at the school-based health center at Briggs High School, an alternative school primarily serving at-risk, uninsured and court-involved youth in Norwalk. Services include physical exams, immunizations, dispensation of medication, crisis intervention, counseling, and nutrition classes. This grant enables the health center to provide services for 25 hours a week, including before and after school. More than 2,000 student visits are documented annually. Staff also provides medical care to babies in the school-based nursery. Intended Results: Fewer students compared to the prior year will be suspended or expelled, two new support groups will be initiated, one for youth dealing with eating disorders, and another for gay and lesbian youth, and the number of student pregnancies and sexual transmitted diseases will decline.

Jingles for Juveniles
New Haven, CT
$1,500

Holiday Gifts for Children in Detention Centers

To purchase gifts for children detained during the holiday season at three state-operated, juvenile detention centers and two community-based, privately operated juvenile detention centers for girls. This grant is administered by the State of Connecticut's Judicial Branch. Intended Results: All children detained over the holidays will received a personal holiday gift.

Kids in Crisis
Cos Cob, CT
$30,000

Safe Haven for Teens

To provide general support for the Teen House emergency shelter for youth ages 12 to 17 dealing with such issues as family conflict, abandonment, abuse and/or neglect or court involvement. Youth who reside at the 10-bed shelter, one of only four in the state, receive education, health, counseling and other services. In 2008, the average length of stay was 47 days. Intended Results: 95% of the youth served will improve their behavior and academic performance during their stay at the Teen House.

Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters (NBBBS)
Hartford, CT
$43,000

Mentoring Programs for Juvenile Offenders and for Children with Incarcerated Parents

To support a mentoring program for 60 youths ages 13 to 17 who are committed to the Connecticut Juvenile Training School. This grant enables NBBBS to provide training and screening of mentors and special programming for Project Choice, a mentoring program staffed by employees of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. Mentors are matched with youth at least three months before the youth is discharged from the facility, based on their mutual interests and home communities. The matches continue when the youth is discharged home and the mentor helps the youth connect with services, stay in school, and avoid further juvenile justice involvement. In addition, this grant provides the local match of a federal grant that supports the agency’s mentoring program for 250 children of incarcerated parents. Intended Results: 186 (60%) of the total 310 mentoring matches will remain in existence for more than one year. 188 (75%) of the children with incarcerated parents and 42 (70%) of the juvenile justice youth will improve their academic performance. 175 (70%) of the children with incarcerated parents and 39 (65%) of the juvenile justice youths will avoid delinquency during the mentoring period.

Our Piece of the Pie
Hartford, CT
$40,000

Pathways to Success Program

To provide academic, job-readiness and support services for 115 court-involved youths ages 14 to 24, many of whom have been out of school or involved in community violence. Youth development specialists work one-on-one with the youth to help them with their long-terms plans to complete their high school education, go on to college or trade school, graduate from a two or four-year college, receive a vocational certification and/or secure and retain a job. Intended Results: 86 (75%) of the 115 youths will remain engaged in the program for the full year, 32 (28%) will return to school, eight (7%) will get their high school diploma or GED and eight (7%) will get a job. These outcomes will increase the youths’ prospects for getting jobs and help reduce youth violence in Hartford.

Person-to-Person
Darien, CT
$5,000

Scholarships for Briggs High School Graduates

To provide financial assistance to enable graduates of Briggs High School, an alternative school primarily serving at-risk, uninsured and court-involved youth in Norwalk, to attend college or a qualified post-secondary vocational program. Trained volunteers on the Person-to-Person scholarship committee guide students through the scholarship and college application processes. They also maintain contact and provide support throughout the students’ post-secondary program to increase their chances of success. Intended Results: Seventeen students will meet the initial criteria for scholarships, with three or more ultimately receiving scholarships. All students who receive scholarships will get the mentoring support they need to sustain their grades and stay in school.

Public Allies Connecticut
Bridgeport, CT
$30,000

Nonprofit Leadership Program

To provide leadership training and nonprofit work experience to 22young adults ages 18 to 30 during a 10-month apprenticeship. Allies also participate in weekly leadership training and conduct team service projects that help to build the capacity of their host organizations and benefit the Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport communities. The Public Allies program was designed to help train the next generation of nonprofit leaders. Regional Youth/Adult Substance Abuse Project (RYASAP) serves as the host and fiduciary for this organization. Intended Results: 20 (90%) of the Allies will complete the program and meet at least one of the established goals they set with the partner organization where they work. 85% percent of the partner organizations’ goals and objectives for their Ally will be met or exceeded.

Regional Youth/Adult Substance Abuse Project (RYASAP)
Bridgeport, CT
$25,000

Unrestricted Funding

To enable RYASAP to create a marketing plan, hire a fulltime fund development and grants director, begin a strategic planning process and continue its work on a variety of youth issues. Intended Results: Strengthening RYASAP's leadership team and goals will enable the organization to better lead its community partners in efforts to address such issues critical to the Greater Bridgeport area as juvenile justice, school disciplinary practices, the achievement gap in Bridgeport schools, teen gambling and substance abuse, youth development and leadership, citizen organizing, and safe neighborhoods.

Serving All Vessels Equally (S.A.V.E.)
Norwalk, CT
$50,000

Youth Leadership and Life Skills Program

To support a faith-based, life skills and job-readiness program for 30 youths ages 14 to 18 who are struggling in school and involved with juvenile court, adult probation or the foster care system. Participants spend their time in the program on life, social and job-readiness skills, service learning, and community service. Clergy are trained to mentor the youth and assist their families, who also participate in group counseling. S.A.V.E. was created by Canaan Institutional Baptist Church in Norwalk to promote and develop programs that reduce youth and gang-related violence, reduce school suspensions and expulsions, and improve behavioral and educational outcomes for the participating youth. Intended Results: 18 (60%) of the youth will improve school attendance; 23 (75%) will not be arrested during and up to six months after exiting the program, and 30 (100%) will be connected with a positive male role model.

Waterbury Youth Service System
Waterbury, CT
$50,000

Linking Academics to Life

To support tutoring, graphic arts, journalism, life skills, and job-readiness training in organic gardening and the construction trade for 40 high risk youths ages 13 to 18, some of whom are first-time juvenile or youthful offenders. The youth learn to construct a dry wall, nail sheetrock, do electrical wiring and paint. In addition, they design and sell original products and invest the profits back into the program. The youth are referred by Waterbury schools due to truancy issues or by the juvenile justice or child welfare systems. Intended Results: 36 (90%) of the youth will improve their behavior and academic performance, and move on to the next grade, 34 (85%)will have no further involvement with the juvenile justice system and 36 (90%) will leave the program with a new marketable skill, increasing their ability to secure employment.

Westchester Mediation Center
Yonkers, NY
$30,000

Restorative Justice Project

To provide group conferences to mediate disputes between adolescent offenders and the victims of their crime who are referred by the White Plains, Yonkers and New Rochelle family courts, as well as schools and police departments. This grant also supports a Parent/Teen mediation program to help resolve family conflicts before they require court involvement. It is estimated that 65 youths will be served in the group conferencing program and 35 in the Parent/Teen mediation program. Intended Results: 59 (90%) of the youths in the group conferencing program will not be re-arrested within a year of completing mediation and 12 (35%) of the youth in the Parent/Teen program will self-report improved family relations due to the depth and severity of the family issues. The terms of 59 (90%) of the mediated agreements will be met.

Youth Rights Media
New Haven, CT
$40,000

Unrestricted Funding

To support youth media projects, youth organizing and advocacy efforts aimed at reform of school and state and local juvenile justice policies and practices. YRM annually trains 50 inner city New Haven youths, most of whom have been involved with the law, to create public service announcements, personal digital stories, and short films that inform other youth of their legal rights, promote social justice issues and advocate public system reform. YRM aims to improve the youths' personal development, critical thinking, social awareness, and communication skills and increase their civic engagement with the mission of challenging public perceptions about young people. Intended Results: 38 (75%) of the youths served will increase their capacity for leading community change efforts and gain in self-confidence and sense of power. 24 (80%) of 30 media lab participants will demonstrate increased media production and media literacy skills.

Youth Transition Funders Group (YTFG)
Chicago, IL
$5,000

Unrestricted Funding

To support this coalition of national and regional foundations whose mission is to improve the lives of our nation's most vulnerable young people ages 14 to 24 and to help them become successful adults. YTFG's three workgroups focus on juvenile justice, out of school and struggling students, and foster care youth and advocate reform of public systems that impact their lives. The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region in Washington, D.C. serves as the fiduciary for this organization. Intended Results: YTFG’s leadership team will collaborate with other philanthropic affinity groups and do outreach to additional foundations, advocates, public officials and private providers, in order to raise public awareness and encourage policymakers to alter public policies and practices to improve the educational, employment, civic and personal outcomes for these adolescents.