Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY)

Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) is an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of violence, crime, and incarceration of teens. FLY works with youth in the juvenile justice system and those at risk of entering the system. FLY’s mission is to prevent juvenile crime and incarceration through legal education, leadership training, and one-on-one mentoring. 

We have volunteer positions available in two of our programs: the Law Program and the CAFA Mentor Program. All volunteers must be 21 years of age or older.

In our Law Program youth learn about the law, their rights, and the consequences of crime. FLY’s nationally recognized law curriculum uses role-plays, debates, and mock city council hearings to capture youth interest, educate them about the law, and build skills like anger management, problem solving, communication, and resisting negative peer pressure. Highly trained volunteers and FLY staff teach the course in teams of 2-4, developing rapport with youth and giving them access to positive role models. The 12-week program covers a range of topics, including theft, vandalism, hate crimes, drugs and alcohol, accomplice liability, the Three-Strikes Law, Proposition 21, and gangs. This is a semester long commitment.

In the Court Appointed Friend and Advocate (CAFA) Mentor Program volunteer mentors are matched with a mentee who is on active probation. The mentors meet weekly with the youth to support them in developing new attitudes, behaviors, and ambitions. Each mentor/mentee match has a FLY case manager for support and also attends monthly group activities organized by FLY. Also, there is a court advocacy component in which mentors accompany youth to their court date and submit court reports that reflect the positive achievements of the youth. This is a year long commitment.