Staten Island Youth Court's 2nd Graduation

Below is an excerpt from Melissa Gelber, the Project Director of Project Ready:

On December 1st, the Staten Island Youth Court held it's second graduation and induction ceremony. The Youth Court inducted eleven young people and graduated twenty-four!

The Staten Island Youth Court's achievements have steadily increased since it began hearing cases in February 2009. Initially, the Youth Court only heard cases one night a week., then they added a second hearing night. To date, the Court has heard 122 cases from probation, criminal court and YD cards from the NYPD. Compliance with sanctions is at 89%.

The impact that Youth Court has on the lives of the young people who go through as respondents and for the members who sit on the court is almost immeasurable. Many challenge themselves to attempt things that they have never done before, interacting with individuals that they might not have spoken to without Youth Court. The growth of the members during the training and the time on the Court is really awe-inspiring.