CCA’s Justice Peer Project pairs youth in Rochester who are involved with court with an adult Justice Peer Mentor who has lived experience in the juvenile legal or family court system.

Justice Peer Mentors support youth participants as they navigate the court process, return to the community from placement or incarceration or age out of the foster care system. Young people are connected to a community hub of social support services and local substance use treatment, medical resources, educational programming and job training.

The Justice Peer Project is grounded in the experiences of youth and young adults who have been involved in the legal systems. They co-design the program as members of a Youth Advisory Board.

Young people who are appointed to the Youth Advisory Board design programs and extracurricular activities for all participants and earn a stipend.