Youth on juvenile probation often face numerous challenges and obstacles that can hinder their successful reintegration into society. Without access to adequate support systems, these young individuals are more likely to re-offend, leading to increased rates of recidivism and perpetuating cycles of crime and poverty. Therefore, it is crucial that we implement structured mentorship and extracurricular programs specifically designed for these youths.

Why this petition?: Growing up in a poor, minority community in Colorado, I witnessed firsthand how much the criminal justice system impacted the lives of those around me. Negative encounters with law enforcement weren’t rare. I saw family members struggle with repeated contact with the law, watched friends from my neighborhood become entangled in cycles of being in and out of jail, and I have also dealt with the impact of my own father’s involvement with the law. These type of experiences, can be seen all around the United States; especially in poor neighborhoods.

Growing up in an environment with a constant police presence forced me to ask myself difficult questions at a young age. Why do some young people receive guidance and opportunities, while others receive punishment? Why do some kids get a second chance while others become trapped in a cycle of criminal justice involvement? These early observations shaped both my understanding of justice and pushed me to want to pursue a career in criminal justice. What I have lived has formed the foundation of this petition, which calls for changes in how the juvenile justice system responds to youth in underserved communities.

My personal experience as a kid playing for the Colorado Rapids Youth Academy helped me live a different outcome. Soccer provided me discipline, it taught me how to work with others, and it provided me good mentors during times when I could have easily gone in a different direction. Research supports what I experienced firsthand, extracurricular involvement, especially sports and mentorship programs such as The Boys and Girls Club, significantly reduces juvenile delinquency and improves long-term life outcomes (Eccles & Barber, 1999; Mahoney, 2000).

Beyond sports, something more important in my eyes is having good mentors. Mentorship plays a critical role in preventing involvement in bad things. DuBois et al. (2002), in a meta-analysis of youth mentoring programs, found that having mentors significantly improved academic performance, reduced delinquency, and strengthened social-emotional development. In communities where police involvement feels normalized, young people often lack exposure to adults who are truly good role models. Whether it’s a coach, teacher, or even a probation officer. When a mentor steps in, they offer more than instruction. They offer new perspectives, and different ways of thinking. They can teach you things you never thought of, or things you didn’t know you were even capable of. For example, I had a teacher who showed me the possibility of going to college; which felt impossible to me in the past. I also had a coach who taught me that I could even go to college on a soccer scholarship, I felt like I had discovered something new, out of this world! Thankfully, I applied myself and went for it. Combining soccer with school felt so natural, it was what I had been doing my whole life already. The difference was that this time it was paying for my school. That shift in mindset explains exactly what having strong mentorship can do for a kid, it can change your understanding of what you can accomplish. When someone that you admire tells you, “you can do this”, it carries weight It gives you a newfound confidence that wasn’t there before, it helps you understand that there aren’t any limits but the ones you set for yourself. 

The juvenile justice system should focus not only on punishment but also on providing opportunities for positive change. Instead of simply monitoring youth through probation requirements, we should actively guide them toward productive activities and supportive mentorship.

This petition calls on Colorado lawmakers and juvenile probation departments to implement the following reforms:

Require structured mentorship programs as part of every juvenile probation plan.
Develop partnerships between probation departments and local sports teams, recreation centers, and mentorship programs.
Expand access to youth development organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Provide funding and support for extracurricular programs that offer structure, mentorship, and positive peer environments.

You may contact the Aurora Quest boys and girls club to show your support by contacting the club at AuroraQuest@bgcmd.org. To find one closer to you simply search up them up and add "contact information" after.

A person that you can contact, is our Governor Jared Polis. 

Front Desk Phone: (303) 866-2471

Email: Governorpolis@state.co.us

Address: 200 E Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80203

References

DuBois, D. L., Holloway, B. E., Valentine, J. C., & Cooper, H. (2002). Effectiveness of mentoring programs for youth: A meta-analytic review. https://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/3521ecbb-2783-4f5b-b412-c235681c9e92/content

Eccles, J. S., & Barber, B. L. (1999). Student council, volunteering, basketball, or marching band: What kind of extracurricular involvement matters?  https://backend.production.deepblue-documents.lib.umich.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/eeea0a0b-8ef0-4e09-8ea4-3e923d0d119c/content