Crime

Youth Court Gives First Time Youth Offenders a Second Chance Through Restorative Justice

Published

9 years ago

January 23, 2017

Continuing the successful Donald P. McCullum Youth Court, founded in 1994, Centerforce non-profit, headed by interim director Dolores Lyles, now oversees the program.

The program serves youth age 12-17, and gradPuates about 15-20 students a year.

Meant to divert youth from juvenile hall, Youth Court has two basic components: the Youth Offenders Program for first-time misdemeanor offenders, and the Law & Justice Program, an intense program which teaches students all aspects of law and courtroom processes.

Alana Russaw, with a Psy.D., in Clinical Psychology, is the Youth Court Program Manager and part-time facilitators, Angela Adams, Law and Justice Coordinator, and Leslie Santiago, Lead Case Manager, complete the team.

“We want to get the word out,” says Dr. Russaw. “Youth Court is a diversion program meant to serve Alameda County youth – we want to keep them out of juvenile hall and put them on a good path forward.

Dr. Russaw said staff reach out to youth probation, police, schools, churches, parents, and community groups for referral for both first time offenders and volunteers.

“We want more case referrals and more youth and adult volunteers,” she said.

And Youth Court really is an official courtroom hearing, staffed by trained youth in courtroom roles, with adult guest judges, and with a “sentence” given by the youth’s peers. After completing their “sentence” – perhaps classes, community service, a letter of apology – graduates records are cleared by the Youth Probation Department.

Key partners with Youth Court are Wendy Still, the new Probation Department Chief Program Officer, Jennifer Brown, Division Director of Alameda County Juvenile Field Services, and Stacy Wooten, Deputy Chief of Probation.

Graduates also come back to volunteer. “This program meant a lot to me,” said Marshall McMahon, a former offender ten years ago, and now a volunteer.

“I want to give back to other kids, and eventually become a filmmaker.”

Field trips are also part of the program. Dr. Russaw and Ms. Adams will take 8 students to a Labor and Occupational Health Program academy at UC Berkeley, January 26-28, to learn workplace rituals promoting health and safety.

Dr. Russaw emphasized, “We want youth on a good path forward. Our goal is to help students get into college whether their passion is law and justice or not!”

For more information: Call Program Manager Dr. Russaw, 510-773-2502, or go to www.centerforce1.org.

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Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

4 days ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

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Activism

NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com