NCJ Number
232286
Date Published
2006
Length
74 pages
Annotation
As part of a campaign in Multnomah County, OR, to inspire concerned adults to play a positive role in the lives of youth involved with the juvenile justice system who have drug and alcohol problems, this publication presents 28 stories from adults and youth - stories of the past and the future - that show how important adults are in the lives of teens.
Abstract
This publication stemmed from a campaign by government and community organizations in Multnomah County to enlist adults into the Reclaiming Futures nationwide initiative sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Reclaiming Futures aims to improve treatment outcomes for youth in the justice system who have substance abuse problems. Part of this program consists of involving community members in the lives of these youth in order to teach them various social, academic, and vocational skills that will help them become positive members of the community. Toward this end, Portland, OR, residents were asked to contribute brief stories about what they were doing when they were 15 years old and how an adult who cared about them made an important difference in their lives. This publication presents some of these stories from community leaders, at-risk youth, and county residents. In addition to presenting these stories in this publication, others are presented on the Web site (www.whenyouwere15.org).