It is estimated that the nation’s juvenile courts handle 1.6 million cases annually. But not all youth offenses are handled through the juvenile justice system.
Over the past 40 years
, it is estimated that the percentage of juveniles referred to criminal or adult court has increased nearly 400 percent. If convicted and sentenced to adult detention facilities, these youth are at a much greater risk of physical and sexual assault, as well as suicide.
Youthful offenders tend to share one or more similar characteristics. They typically:
- Have young, single mothers
- Reside in poor households
- Reside in high-crime neighborhoods
- Are school dropouts
- Are subject to negative peer influences
- Have underdeveloped social skills
Mentoring
Mentoring has proven to be a highly effective juvenile delinquency prevention strategy. By mitigating the effects of negative environmental stimuli, it can go a long way toward decreasing the numbers of youthful offenders – and, by extension, the number of youngsters channeled into the justice system.
Through mentoring, Unity Foundation Group provides a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring adults who offer guidance, support, and encouragement aimed at developing their competence and character.
Our goals are to:
- Reduce the rate of recidivism among our juvenile clients
- Enhance the safety of our communities
- Enhance the capacity of local partnerships to address the needs of the youth in our communities