PRESS RELEASE: Pomp and Circumstance: Making History at the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—June 2, 2010—It is easy to pick up the newspaper or browse the internet to find stories on the Juvenile Justice System. These stories focus on the negative and call for reform. Amidst these stories of doom and gloom, the staff of the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center, Juvenile Probation Department, San Francisco School District, and City Youth Now are working towards rehabilitation and positive change for youth detained in San Francisco. One such example of this positive change was witnessed on Wednesday at the 2nd Annual Graduation Ceremony at Juvenile Hall.
City Youth Now in collaboration with the Woodside Learning Center, San Francisco Juvenile Probation, and the San Francisco Juvenile Justice Center hosted the 2nd Graduation Ceremony. Twelve young male detainees walked across the room to receive their high school diploma or GED certification. The youth marched in to a video presentation showcasing their hard work and positive quotes from their teachers and counselors. Principal Jim Fithian opened the ceremony congratulating the young people in front of him for beating the odds and focusing on their education while detained at Juvenile Hall. Head counseling staff, program staff, and educators made keynote remarks encouraging the youth to make more happy moments like this one in juvenile hall, to pursue the path to Harvard or Stanford, and to encourage them to use their education as a ticket off the streets.
The youth valedictorian talked about forgiveness, maturing, and learning to focus on his strengths rather than his weaknesses. He talked about the programs that have helped me contain his anger and rage that landed him at Juvenile Hall. He closed reciting a poem he wrote and performed for If These Walls Could Talk, Let Me Introduce Myself.
The ceremony concluded with a rites of passage drumming ceremony performed by youth from juvenile hall and drumming teacher Wilfred Marks, hand bumps from the Chief of Probation, and high fives amongst the youth. After the ceremony the young graduates, their families, and Juvenile Hall staff enjoyed pizza, cake, and food platters provided by City Youth Now. Congratulations Class of 2010!
About City Youth Now:
City Youth Now supports youth in the San Francisco foster care and juvenile justice systems by providing funds for services and programs that promote stability and personal growth. www.cityyouthnow.org
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Press Contact:
Elizabeth Fairbanks
Executive Director
City Youth Now
elizabeth@cityyouthnow.org
