Pictured from left to right: Lisa Lambert, E.D. of PPAL, then Jamie Bennett, AIC of YAD- Worcester, Marlies Spanjaard, Director of Education Advocacy, and Taryn Niesz, Social Worker YAD-Worcester.
Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) presented the Community Partner in Leadership Award to the Youth Advocacy Division.
The people at the Youth Advocacy Division have been tireless advocates for youth who enter the juvenile justice system. Not only do amazing work for youth who come before the court, they have spent countless hours working to create a system of diversion that keep youth out of the courts and into services they often need. They advise youth of their rights, help them understand and feel a little more empowered. They never take their eyes off the data that show the disparities that still exist in juvenile justice and look for opportunities to address it. Through it all, they keep telling youth that they have a future.