TEEN COURT
EUREKA OFFICE
PHONE: 707-444-0153
TEXT: 707-362-1514
EMAIL: hcteencourt@bgcredwoods.org
LOCATION: 939 Harris St, Eureka, CA 95503
HOURS: Tuesday – Thursday, 10am-6pm
FORTUNA OFFICE
PHONE/ TEXT: 707-617-8160
EMAIL: fortunatc@bgcredwoods.org
LOCATION: inside the Gene Lucas Community Center, 3000 Newburg Rd, Fortuna
HOURS: Tuesday – Thursday, 10am-6pm
We create positive and restorative change for our community through advocacy and action for
youth, by youth.
TEEN COURT OVERVIEW
Teen Court is an innovative diversion program for first-time juvenile offenses. It is a real court that is run entirely by teen volunteers, with adult mentors providing guidance. Youth fill all of the court roles, including juror. Jurors hear the youth participant’s story and work together to come up with an appropriate assignment that helps the youthful offender to repair harms and learn from their mistake. We organize around youth empowerment and restorative justice. Justice for youth by youth!
Youth-led restorative practices have the potential to harness the collective knowledge of youth to shape plans of repair that are achievable and aim to draw youth further into the community, rather than ostracizing or marking youth as undesirable.
In addition to equipping youth with valuable skills, Teen Court also allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of harm and focus on skill-building, affirmation, accountability, and positive behavioral growth, rather than mere punitive discipline.
Teen Court has been a program of the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods since 2001. We partner with the Humboldt County Superior Court, Probation, law enforcement, schools, and community agencies to deliver healthy services to our community. Youth Courts are a national movement.
3 RESTORATIVE PROGRAMS
TEEN COURT
TEEN COURT is a real court run entirely by teen volunteers addressing misdemeanor-level offenses. It is a diversion program based on restorative justice, where teens focus on supporting and helping youth instead of merely punishing. Youth have the option to restore relationships, be held accountable, and move forward without the shadow of a police record.
COURTHOUSE HEARINGS: The Eureka Courthouse hearings have teens serving in the roles of jury, attorney, clerk, and judge, with an adult mentor judge and attorneys providing guidance.
Conference Room Hearings: Involves a handful of teens who sit and listen to a case and come up with a restorative plan along with the participant. These hearings are similar to a circle process with a student advocate, adult judge, youth facilitator, and a jury of peers.
Location: Eureka Courthouse, Teen Court Conference Room, or Virtual
Times: 4:15-6:00pm, Thursdays
Online Referral Portal
For Teen Court
Step 1: Go over Consent Form
Step 2: Refer via Online Portal
Attendance Council
Peer Support Group
ATTENDANCE COUNCIL is a peer-led support group for students struggling with chronic school absenteeism. Fellow students help the clients create an action plan to get them back on track for success. We hold an Attendance Council every Wednesday from 4:15pm-5:15pm.
This is a support group that is adult facilitated but peer led; it is a place where youth can leverage their experience to help pull back others from school disengagement by providing peer-to-peer mentoring. In a supportive group setting, teens come up with incentives, explore barriers, and markers for success.
In addressing school attendance challenges, it is our goal to create a program that will help keep youth out of trouble, off the streets, and foster positive interaction with caring adults and peers.
Location: Teen Court Conference Room or Virtual
Times: 4:15-5:45pm, Wednesdays
Online Referral Portal
For Attendance Councils:
Step 1: Go over Consent Form
Step 2: Refer via Online Portal
YOUth Choose
PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR SUBSTANCE-USING TEENS
YOUth Choose is a FREE alcohol and other drug early intervention for young people.
2 interactive sessions are one-on-one with an adult facilitator. An additional session with a parent/guardian is optional. Program is voluntary or court mandated. Virtual or in-person. Anonymous and confidential. Referrals can be sent through email, the referral button below, or call (707) 444-0153. Youth and parents can also call on their own. Sessions cover:
- Identifying resources and support
- Reflecting on decisions
- How to make positive changes through action plans
Location: Teen Court Office or Virtual
Times: by appointment
Youth TEEN COURT Volunteers
If you are interested in becoming a Teen Court volunteer, you can email/text/call us about an opportunity to observe a hearing before making a commitment to apply. You can also just watch the orientation video to learn more, and then get in touch with us to ask any questions. Or do the 3 easy steps below and start volunteering right away!
Teen volunteers must be in 8th-12th grade
3 Easy Steps to Start Volunteering:
3: Start Volunteering
You’ll still need to attend our 2-hour jury training when it is offered, typically held in the fall and spring. But you can start volunteering with us right now.
TEEN COURT LEADERS BOARD
Teen Court offers two track levels of involvement. Everyone starts out with an initial 2-hour training and volunteers as much or as little as they like. Then at the 2nd semester or the end of the year, youth have the opportunity to decide to join a more intensive track – the Teen Court Leaders Board.
- TRACK 1: Volunteer to serve in positions for restorative proceedings. Volunteer as little or as much as you like.
- TRACK 2: The more intensive track is the TEEN COURT LEADERS BOARD, which is a committed group of volunteers that meets every Thursday during the school year. LEADERS receive advanced trainings, make presentations in the community, train new volunteers, go on field trips, plan court improvements, & fundraisers
TEEN COURT SUPPORTERS
Partner Agencies:
Teen Court is a collaborative program involving the Humboldt County Probation Department, the Humboldt County Superior Court, Eureka City Schools, local police departments, schools, and other community service entities.
Mentor Judge:
Judge Lawrence Killoran
& Judge Christopher Wilson
Adult Mentors:
Richard Hendry
David Nims
Dawn Watkins
Heidi Holmquist-Wells
Jeffrey Monsell
Casey Russo
Kristi Alberti-Valles
Sarah Biasca
Joanne Carter
Ryan Fleisher
Judge Stephen Steward
Amber Miller
David Celli
“I think things through before I do them, I have a better relationship with my parents, my choice of friends- it has made a huge impact on everything. I understand ‘respect’ and how important it is every day!”
-Former Participant
Additional Supporters:
Humboldt County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission (JJDPC)
Humboldt State University Social Work Department
Humboldt State University Criminology & Justice Studies, Sociology Department
Humboldt County Transition Age Youth Collaboration (HCTAYC)
Allies for Substance Use Prevention (ASUP)
Raven Majors
Teen Court Director
Raven was raised in California and graduated high school from Arcata High. She enjoys reading and writing and has developed an interest in crochet. Raven has been involved in the community with non-profits, such as Arcata House Partnership, as well as volunteering at the local elementary schools that her son attends.
As a mother, Raven sees the healthy development of children as a vital component of our society and has always wanted to make a positive difference with youth. She looks forward to the opportunities that the Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods will provide in this regard, and hopes to steward the Fortuna Teen Court program to become an integral part of the support systems in the Eel River Valley.
Craig Patton
Program Coordinator
Craig was born and raised in Fortuna. After graduating from East High in 1998, he moved to the Bay Area in 2000 and worked in Inventory Management. Since returning to Humboldt County in 2006, he has worked in healthcare and warehousing at numerous local businesses, most notably 10 years at Providence St. Joseph Hospital.
When not working, he usually spends time with his wife Amanda and dog Debo. He enjoys a wide variety of music (except country). He is what most people would call a sports nut. He is a huge fan of the San Francisco Giants, the San Francisco 49ers, the North Carolina Tar Heels, the San Jose Sharks and the Golden State Warriors.