Anchorage Youth Court: Justice for youth by youth
Before Anchorage Youth Court began, first-time youth offenders in Anchorage “fell through the cracks.” After being arrested for misdemeanors, they received letters in the mail telling them not to do that again. Now, many of them - over 400 per year - are given the option of going through Anchorage Youth Court where they are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions. Positive peer pressure and fast, meaningful sentencing results in a 6% recidivism rate, according to one recent study. By contrast 23% of the control group reoffended within six months. Our youth are too important to throw away just because they made mistakes. As one mother of a defendant stated, “Anchorage Youth Court saved my son’s life!” If not for AYC she expected that he would have ended up in McLaughlin Youth Center or worse.
Anchorage Youth Court Bar students who serve as attorneys and judges for their peers also receive significant benefits. While volunteering their time to help their peers, they learn valuable skills such as public speaking, responsibility, teamwork and the spirit of volunteerism. Active members may request a recommendation for college or job applications, which carries considerable weight.
The community benefits, too, by a reduction in juvenile crime and an increase in responsible citizenship. 400 defendants plus 300 AYC Bar members means Anchorage Youth Court impacts 700 teens a year.
Anchorage Youth Court was one of three programs featured in the Municipality’s successful bid to be names All-America City in 2002.
Contact Info:
P.O. Box 102735, 99510, 274-5986, 272-0491 (fax)
AYC publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Gavel.
Sharon Leon, Executive Director, 274-5913 (direct), ayc.sal@acsalaska.net
Paula Burgan, Fundraising Coordinator, 274-5920, ayc.pb@acsalaska.net
Denise Wike, Legal Advisor, 274-5915, ayc.legal.advisors@alaska.net
Upcoming events:
March 6, 2004 AYC Gala Dinner / Dance and Auction
March ?? Spring classes for prospective AYC members