HONOREES

The Spirit of Achievement Award is presented annually to an individual or organization from the community who is making a significant impact on the lives of our young people. This year we are delighted to present our Spirit of Achievement Award to three remarkable individuals who have dedicated years of service to San Franciscco youth: Deputy Public Defender Patti Lee, Deputy District Attorney Walter Aldridge, and Independent Living Skills Program Coordinator Arlene Hylton.

Walter Aldridge: Managing Attorney, San Francisco District Attorney's Office

Walter joined the San Francisco District Attorney's Office on February 28,1978. For the first four years he prosecuted adult cases. Thereafter, he was the first Assistant District Attorney in San Francisco to volunteer to prosecute juvenile cases. He has worked continuously in the Juvenile Division for approximately 26 years. During the last 13 years he has been the managing attorney of the San Francisco District Attorney's Juvenile Division. In l996 through 1998 he took part in the process of institutionalizing the Delancey Street Action Plan, wherein Evening Reporting Centers (ERC"S), Beacon Centers, Community Assessment and Referral Center (CARC), and the Treasure Island School became a reality. From l996 through l999 he served on the State Juvenile Delinquency and Dependency sub committee under the Administrative Offices of the Courts.
From the year 2000 through 2007 he also served on the County Juvenile justice Coordinating Council.

Patricia Lee: Deputy Public Defender, San Francisco Public Defender's Office

Patricia joined the San Francisco Public Defender's office in 1978, and has been practicing in the Juvenile Courts since 1981. She is currently the managing attorney for the Juvenile Division of the San Francisco Public Defender's Office. Ms. Lee is currently serving as the co-chair of the juvenile justice committee of the Asian Youth Advocacy Network, an organization devoted to reducing substance abuse and violence amongst Asian and Pacific Islander youth in San Francisco. She is a core member of the John D. and Catharine T. MacArthur Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice, an interdisciplinary agency bridging research, policy and practice for our "at-risk" youth.

Arlene Hylton: San Francisco Independent Living Skills Program Coordinator

Arlene is an advocate with more than twenty years of experience in all aspects of child, youth, and family policy development and intergovernmental collaboration. She is committed to improving conditions for youth in foster care. Arlene is the Program Coordinator of the San Francisco Department of Human Services, Independent Living Skills Program. She also serves as the adult supporter for the California Youth Connection's (CYC) San Francisco Chapter. She works with CYC to promote the participation of foster youth in state, policy development, and legislative changes in an effort to improve social work practices and child welfare policy. Arlene has also work to forge collaboration with major state politicians to make them aware of the needs of foster and probation youth once they leave foster care. She is affectionately called "mom" by all youth.

Youth Honorees

The transition from childhood to adulthood is often a precarious journey—filled with opportunity and risk. Adolescence can be a time of tremendous discovery and growth, as one develops towards independence. With proper guidance and support, young people explore their unique talents and interests; develop knowledge, skills, and aspirations; and acquire the relationships and connections that they will depend upon for a lifetime. Most young people, with the support of their families and community networks, make this transition successfully.

Unfortunately, there are also many young people in our communities who lack adequate nurturing, guidance, and support. For these youth, the risks of adolescence often overshadow the opportunities. And for too many, the result is that they enter adulthood with little hope or preparation for a successful future. City Youth Now bestows the Jesse E Williams III Memorial Scholarship and Emancipating to Real Freedom Scholarship upon two youth in the Juvenile Justice and Foster Care Systems who have successfully made the transition to adulthood. Learn more about this scholarship or recommend an honoree.

Past Honorees

Special thanks and congratulations to past Honorees and Outstanding Youth.