Youth Education Programs

We currently offer two distinct programs for Shasta County youth who are struggling with the challenges of growing up in a toxic culture: The Youth Education Class and the Victim Awareness Class. Each program is taught based on the 40 Developmental Assets to empower youth with knowledge and a sense of accountablity for their actions. In many cases, youth are referred to our programs by a probation officer as part of their rehabilitation program after being noted for unhealthy behavior.

The Youth Education Class is made possible through a grant from the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program administered locally by the county Alcohol and Drug Program. The class consists of 10 sessions that each last for 90 min on consecutive Fridays covering a variety of topics to assist youth in making healthy choices throughout their daily lives. Youth are encouraged to share their own stories, choices, and beliefs in order to stimulate changes in behavior for themselves and their peers. Youth can only enter the program on set dates to maintain the established group dynamics. This program is free to youth in Shasta County when referred by the juvenile justice system and is an accepted tool used by probation to complete court recommended training requirements. Please view the attached schedule by clicking on the calendar icon to the right for specific class titles and dates.

The Victim Awareness Class was specifically designed for youth in the probation system or assigned to peer court, who have made their first critical error in judgement and broken the law with a misdemeanor infraction, such as vandalism, petty-theft, physical assault, etc. As the name implies, the class is designed to put the youth in the shoes of the victim by understanding what victimization is and determining why they chose to make someone their victim. Students discuss their feelings during the act, why they think they committed the act, and spend a portion of the class writing apology letters and processing how they will deal with the same situation in the future. Class is 2 hours long in order to spend time on each students situation with a maximum class size of 15 students. Please click on the calendar icon to the left for current class dates. The referral form available by clicking on the icon next to the VAC schedule is for prospective students to either program. Those wishing to use our services should call us at 530-241-5958.