Both Sides of the Bars

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Mentorship plays a powerful role for young people involved in the juvenile and criminal legal systems. Mentors offer young people steady and positive support during a critical stage of their lives. Mentors help youth meet court mandates, connect to education or jobs, and build communication and conflict resolution skills. Grounded in trust and shared experience, mentorship guides rather than punishes, helping young people navigate challenges and stay on track. This episode explores how mentorship reduces legal system involvement and inspires futures built on opportunity, purpose, and self-determination. Our guests include Gamal Willis, chief program officer at Avenues for Justice, a community-based program helping young adults ages 13-24 divert away from a punitive criminal legal system to a community-support program designed to help them avoid future crime and lead successful lives. Also Clinton Lacey, president and CEO of the Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement.