St Paul Youth Services Inc

Youthpowermn leadership institute this program partners with black youth to influence public policy, create space for youth organizing, and create tools and strategies to help policy makers vet their policies for equitable impact on youth. In addition, the program offers a career readiness initiative in which youth explore possible future career opportunities and entrepreneurship opportunities in partnership with local businesses. In 2024 spys partnered with 97 black youth, indigenous youth & youth of color for three 1-day events and 36 youth leaders during the school year program.

Pre-charge diversion this restorative justice program offers an alternative to court for a range of first-time offenses, including shoplifting, property damage, and curfew violations, helping young people avoid repeat mistakes and stay out of the criminal justice system. In 2024 spys conducted outreach to 167 youth & their families who received a pre-charge diversion referral and expanded community outreach and education among youth-serving organizations to awareness of the program and reach more youth with support before they encounter the justice system. Pre-charge diversion contracts take between 3 - 6 months to complete and 25 of these youth completed contract requirements with their parents/guardians. Pre-charge diversion counselors also provided support to 220 students and their families within spys' bip program.

Thought leadership, workshops & trainings, and familty & community engagement this program develops practices, creates tools, and shares resources across the state, the country, and the world with individuals, businesses, and organizations who work with youth developmental and/or within systems where youth (and their families) face barriers to offer practical strategies to be more effective. Spys also hosts the rewriting the rules podcast, and the focus on our families network which offers experiences to youth and their families across all spys programs at no charge.