Alliance for Children and Youth Com

In july 2001, the first session of teen court, an innovative positive early intervention community resource, was held. This program, funded by the gaston county juvenile crime prevention council, provides Youth ages 12-17 who have admitted guilt to a minor offense an alternative to juvenile or district court through peer review of the sentencing phase of their case. It seeks to reduce recidivism by holding these first time offending Youth responsible for their actions through punishment options more suited to their age and offense. Local middle and high school teens volunteer their time to be jury members, court clerks, bailiffs, and attorneys. The court session is overseen by one of gaston countys district court judges and deputies from the gaston county sheriffs office assist in the bailiff position. Local attorneys offer training and assistance to teens who prepare defense and prosecution for the offender. After the sentence is decided, the offender and their parents are advised of instructions to complete their sentence successfully. If the sentence is fulfilled as required by the jury, the offender will not have a criminal record and is invited to participate as a juror in future teen court sessions. However, if the sentence is not completed, the case is sent to juvenile or district court where punishment is harsher and a record is guaranteed. The juvenile restitution/community service program holds juvenile offenders personally accountable for their delinquent activities, some of which that have resulted in measurable monetary damages to victims. The program provides opportunity for these juveniles to perform community service hours and the opportunity to compensate their victims. This program is available for diverted and/or adjudicated juveniles through the juvenile court system, teen court defendants, repeat offenders and undisciplined juveniles. The goal of the community outreach program is to reduce criminal and gang involvement of Youth ages 10 through 18. Services are delivered based on the comprehensive gang model and work directly with the Youth and their families to put intensive intervention strategies in place for home and school to prevent future criminal or gang involvement. Substance abuse and/or mental health counseling is offered to help deal with substance abuse or underlying mental health issues within the home. Life skills classes help Youth prepare for life on their own by teaching them basic, everyday life skills. Victim impact classes challenge Youth to focus on other people, victims of crimes, and help them realize what it's like to be victimized themselves. The strengthening family program reinforces the need for effective parental supervision and family communication.

Community outreach program: the goal of the community outreach program is to reduce criminal and gang involvement with Youth that gang involved or potentially gang involved. It is part of the gaston county gang initiative, and receives referrals from juvenile court, law enforcement, and gaston county schools.

The mission of communities in schools (cis) is to surround students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. for well over a decade in gaston county, and for nearly 40 years across the nation, cis has provided successful drop-out prevention programming at public school sites. By showing communities how to coordinate their public, private, and non-profit resources, kids can get the help they need, where they need it. Some examples of the activities held at cis sites are: school supply drives, after school homework clubs, career fairs, community service, mentoring, lunch and reading buddies. Each cis program surrounds young people with a community of health and mental health care providers, career counselors, tutors, mentors, lunch buddies, classroom and homework club volunteers, and other caring adults who can help them prepare for life.

Implemented in 1998 and funded by the gaston county juvenile crime prevention council, the juvenile restitution program supervises court ordered first time offenders, under the age of 17, while they work to pay their debt to their victims. This work occurs in various locations around the county like the ymca, dhhs, and gaston county parks & recreation departments. Typical work activities are cleaning or picking up trash while supervised by a caring adult. Being held responsible for their actions convinces 96% of the Youth to never re-offend.