We first met “Marcus” as a 9th grader arrested for possession of a handgun. Marcus lived with his grandfather in a tough neighborhood and struggled with anger issues. Everyone he knew carried a gun for protection. Having a gun was just a normal part of life. Now Marcus was facing serious charges that could result in years of prison time. He was on a rough path and needed a way out. 

To keep Marcus from being incarcerated, his LCCR Youth Advocate, Curry, had to quickly find him a placement in a diversion program so that he could prove to the court that he could remain in his community safely.  

Curry helped Marcus apply to join the Aspire summer program with ALAS, a local organization that works closely with immigrant and legal system-involved youth. Through this program, Marcus could finally access therapy. He had struggled his whole life with anger and his emotions. With therapy, he could finally begin the healing process. 

Marcus also got involved in organizing to promote educational access for kids like him. With ALAS, he attended local school board meetings to advocate for increased access to busing for kids. He also spoke at a city council meeting to ask for increased investment in alternatives to youth incarceration.  

After his summer fellowship, Marcus began seeing the world differently. He looked back at his choice to carry a gun and realized that it wasn’t normal, that he could have hurt himself or someone else.  

For the fall, Curry helped Marcus enroll in a new school and even gave him a ride on his first day. He also connected Marcus with Pathways, a city-run job training program for youth. Earlier this month, Marcus’s court case was closed and the charges against him were dismissed.  

Marcus is an intelligent kid who is learning from his mistakes. He really likes his new school and is excited about getting a job after Pathways. Most of all, he wants to continue speaking up for other children like himself. 

Because Curry was able to connect Marcus with a program that was a great fit, he was given the opportunity to thrive and impact his community in a positive way. Incarceration wouldn’t have afforded him the same opportunity. Marcus isn’t alone. So many of our city and state’s arrested youth are capable of positive change if granted opportunity over harsher punishments.