Formerly Incarcerated Youth Work to Create Safer Schools

Formerly incarcerated youth are overcoming their pasts and succeeding in their communities. They also are passing along lessons they’ve learned to a younger generation.

Alumni from Counteract International’s Success Academy recently started serving students at schools in crime-ridden neighborhoods. They are aiming to break vicious cycles of violence in which they once felt trapped.

“The youth involved in the project are giving back to their communities. They are bringing hope to other students and creating safer schools,” said Heymi Fuentes, director of the project for Counteract. “At the same time, the youth are developing their own leadership skills and demonstrating their love for others.”

In the first phase of the “Schools in Action” project, formerly incarcerated youth are regularly visiting six schools to deliver delinquency prevention programs. They are hosting life skills workshops and conflict resolution sessions for students. Currently, more than 400 schoolchildren are benefiting from the after-school program.

“Not many people would give us a second chance and allow us to lead a project like this,” said Helen, one of the youth participants. “Thanks to Counteract, we have an opportunity to show the community how much we’ve changed.”

Ten released youth are participating in the project. By serving in schools near their homes, the young men and women are restoring relationships with the local community and letting their light shine before others.

“One day in the school hallway, I saw one of my teachers from when I was a student at the school,” said Brehissi, one of the youth participants. “She was surprised to see me there. She told me how different I was from the time she knew me as a difficult student and troublemaker.”

In the second phase of the project, the schools will be open after hours to community members for recreational activities and family strengthening classes.

To learn more about how youths’ lives are being transformed or to get involved, visit counteract.org/take-action.