Youth activism

They were reformers who founded the courts on the basic principle of being there for criminal youth instead of against. These same ideas continue to this day with the juvenile justice system wanting treatment and help for the vast majority of youth, with harsh punishment only happening for a select few extreme cases. Graduated sanctions – Graduated sanctions is a continuum that the outcome of a juvenile case centers around…

On Wednesday, February 22, 2017, I spent my day observing juvenile detention hearings and a drug court trial in Mercer County, New Jersey. For my first observation, I went to Mercer Family Division in Mercer County, New Jersey. I observed several juvenile detention hearings. I asked one of my previous supervisors if I could sit in with her during her time in court. Overall the process for each child went relatively briefly. The detention center has two buses that transport the juveniles from…

better solution for our youth because once they age out of…

1. With the results of the 2016 Presidential election fresh in our minds, many Americans are contemplating about how their personal dreams will survive the next 4 years. My American Dream is for equality, humanity, education and freedom to survive and thrive in America. We as a country have come far in evaluation of these issues, but there is still work to be done before these dreams can become a reality. 2. One facet of my American Dream is that there is equality of gender. The United States…

I was unaware that thousands of juvenile offenders are living with adults in detention and correctional facilities in the United States. In Pulaski County where I work all juveniles under the age of 18 are housed with other juveniles in our juvenile detention center. It is no surprise to find that juvenile offenders that are placed with adults are in danger of sexual abuse, physical assault and have a higher rate of committing suicide (Wood, n.d.). In the Eighth Amendment, the United States…

Most people experienced a thrill when they saw their crush, had an adventure or many other reasons. But unlike most people 15-year old Alyssa Bustamante is different. She experienced a thrill when she beat, strangled, stabbed and slit the throat of an 8-year old girl. "I strangled and beat her and now she’s dead. I don’t know how to feel at the moment. It was amazing. As soon as you get over the” I can’t do this’ feeling, it’s pretty enjoyable" she wrote in her journal about her experience.…

But to say that whether youth had counsel or not it didn’t matter because Civaraella was going to send everybody away is ignorant. These parents trusted in the system, though they were confused they persuaded them into believing that things were going to be just fine. The parents…

There are many factors in George's early life that led to him being one not easily tempted by wrong. Growing up on the streets of Newark, NJ offered him many opportunities to succumb to the negative pressures of the ghetto. Had he grown up in a different home with different people, George would probably not be the man he is today, or even be at all. Children, under the wrong influences, can live carelessly, in which they are reckless with their lives, and in some unfortunate cases, lose them.…

demonstrator/administrator, and as a meal entertainment leader for a total of seventy days. Before I left for Boy Scout camp for my fourth year, I attended a weeklong leadership training program called the National Youth Leadership Training. This course is taught by adults, but is executed and operated by the youth. During this program, I learned valuable lessons on not only how to be the leader of a troop, but also how to be successful as a leader in school, career, and…

Her Royal Highness Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark spoke to elderly citizens about youth activism and the Syrian refugee crisis as a part of the Learning Institute for Elders program at the University of Central Florida Feb. 16. “Every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential,” Princess Theodora said. Princess Theodora, also known under the stage name Theodora Greece, was invited as a part of the LIFE Global Issues Series. She introduced herself to the packed room…