Access Youth’s mission is to empower vulnerable youth with the tools they need to stay in school, graduate on time and avoid the justice system, through mediation and restorative justice. For the last thirteen years, our overarching goal has been to ensure that DCPS students in under-served communities are empowered to graduate prepared for success in life.

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Access Youth aims to reduce the rate of juvenile detention originating in school misbehaviors, which typically leads even very young teens into recidivism and a life of crime.  AY is located in 4 high schools and now 2 middle schools with full time staff who become grounded in the school community and work consistently (over 4-5 years, as often needed) with students referred to them for behaviors such as truancy, fighting, bullying or threats. GT's 2-year funding is general operating support for AY work with students grades 6-12 in 4 partner high schools and 2 middle-schools in wards 6,7 and 8, in three main programs:  Truancy Prevention, Restorative Justice in Schools, and MADE for girls (My Attitude Determines Everything). The last works with girl cohorts on social-emotional and leadership development, peer mediation, conflict resolution, and community-building

 

Interested in helping out? Contact GT Liaison Christine Kessides (ckessides@gmail.com)

[Updated June 2023]

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