Adult Volunteering Opportunities

Our program is heavily youth based meaning not only our clientele but also staff and volunteers, so unfortunately, we have very few opportunities for adults compared to youth but we are very open to ideas. Here are opportunities for adults to participate:

Judge

Law enforcement, civic leaders, alumni, and firms are encouraged to contribute as volunteer Judges at court night as individuals or host court night as a group. Participating as a judge at Youth Court is a lot simpler than one may think, we provide all judges with a script and ask only that during the court admonishment you provide the youth offender with words of encouragement that are relevant to their case and that you give constructive criticism to our Youth Advocates at the end of court.

Usually, court nights take place every second and third Tuesday of the month. Trials start at 6:00, but we ask that all judges arrive at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse at 661 Washington Street in Oakland between 5:30 and 5:40 to attend a brief Judges Orientation. During the orientation, we will provide you with additional information that will further explain your role and help you feel more comfortable with your duties.

If you or your organization would like to participate as judge, host a court night or have additional questions, please contact Maribeth, Law & Justice Development Associate via email: Maribeth@YouthCourt.Org, or by phone: (510) 832 – 5858, extension 315.

Provide a workshop

            Youth are referred to our organization for various offenses, from vandalism to petty theft but what’s really important is to look beyond the offense and see what sparked the motivation to commit the crime. We find that youth often have a talent or interest in something but haven’t found a constructive or appropriate way to engage it so we try to provide fun but educational workshops to provide mentoring and guidance from adults with experience or specialization in that field.

            In the summer of 2010, some Junior Staff and Leadership noticed that a large number of youth were referred to our organization for vandalism and quite a lot were because they would create street art, or graffiti, where it was not wanted. They then applied for a grant fromYouth Uprising’s Youth Grants 4 Youth Action so that they could create a mural exhibiting a youth offender’s journey from the moment of being arrested to practicing as an Attorney and worked with Ricardo Lazo, a local professional muralist & graffiti artist. Board Members, volunteers, youth offenders, and staff all worked hand in hand to complete the project.

If you or your organization would like to provide a workshop or have additional questions, please contact Pairoj, Communications & Development Associate via email: Pairoj@YouthCourt.Org, or by phone: (510) 832 – 5858, extension 303 and fill out this form.

Guest Speaker

          We are always looking for ways to incorporate individuals, organizations, and businesses of interest or relevance to our youth with various aspects of our program; one of those ways is through Guest Speakers. If you or your organization believes that our youth may benefit from a respresntative (es) guest speaking at one of our meetings, workshops, or events please contact the Executive Director, Sean Duren at 510-832-5858 ext. 314 or Sean@YouthCourt.Org and fill out this form.

Intern

Undergrads interested in participating in the program will collaborate with staff on everyday office duties, special events & projects, outreach, workshop facilitation, case management, and other aspects of the program. Internships are non-paid but instead students receive other opportunities like networking with some of the best legal professionals in the Bay Area and an unparalleled experience. 

If you are interested please please contact Pairoj, Communications & Development Associate via email: Pairoj@YouthCourt.Org, or by phone: (510) 832 – 5858, extension 303 and fill out this form.

Corporate Sponsorship

Is your company interested in sponsoring the McCullum Youth Court? If you would like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact the Executive Director, Sean Duren at 510-832-5858 ext. 314, Sean@YouthCourt.Org or at the contact page.