Overview: The Young Adult Justice Scholars and Young Adult Justice Community Programs (YAJS/C) will serve young adults involved in the criminal justice system.  Young Adult Justice Scholars is an education-focused program, while the Young Adult Justice Community program will engage participants in subsidized community benefit projects.

Participant Age: 16-24 for both Young Adult Justice Scholars and Young Adult Justice Community

Participating City Agencies: Department of Probation (DOP) and the Mayor’s Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) 

Justice Scholars Details: The program focuses on educational gains and features multiple tracks, including options for young adults who are:

1. Of compulsory high school age or eligible for GED classes
2. In need of basic education classes or
3. Ready for post-secondary education 

The program features educational services, tutoring, career exploration, case management, peer support, financial incentives, placement and follow-up services.

Justice Community Details: The program is built around community benefit projects to improve the health, safety, beauty and sustainability of the neighborhood.  It  incorporates educational, work, team, and civic engagement experiences. DOP will contract with community-based organizations to organize the projects, leverage local resources, and perform case management.  Participants will receive a stipend.

The program is goal and team-oriented. Participants will come to see themselves as positive community role models. They will also learn about their legal rights in an effort to reduce barriers to future education and employment. Participants will receive stipends or incentives in support of workforce engagement, sustained community participation and achieving milestones. 

Below is a list of the organizations that will be providing Young Adult Justice programs: