Forge Evolution

For 27 years, Teen Court has been a proven alternative to the traditional court for youth who commit misdemeanor crimes. In Teen Court, juvenile defendants are judged by a jury of their peers. Through sentences that promote self-esteem and encourage positive life choices, former defendants are more likely to resist opportunities to re-offend in favor of building a more productive life for themselves. Over the years, several areas where youth and families needed additional support were identified, but as an organization Teen Court as an entity was limited in its ability to provide services to youth only after a crime occurred. 

As of May 2021, Teen Court will officially be known as Forge Evolution with a new focus on improving resiliency and helping youth grow. Forge Evolution believes that a successful intervention program must support youth in all aspects of their lives, including the preventative stages. Forge Evolution will continue to offer the Teen Court/Restorative Justice Programming for first-time, misdemeanor youth, but the overall goal is to reach even more youth and help them build the skills necessary to succeed and avoid criminal activity in the future. This work breaks down barriers between youth and the police/justice system.

Forge Evolution strives to end the cycle of self-destructive behavior of first-time, young adult offenders and teach them responsibility, self-control, and self-respect – all using the power of positive peer influence and adult mentors. A key component of this is embedding police officers into programs in order to help youth – who often come from low-income backgrounds or are BIPOC – understand their rights and break down barriers of distrust. This also gives the volunteer police officers the opportunity to learn, hear, and respect the perspectives of these often-marginalized youth.

Prior to the growth of Forge Evolution, programming was delivered in the "response" or "transition" stage after a crime occurred. These provisions of legal services and alternative to the traditional court system will continue, but the new Forge Evolution resiliency programming opens new pathways for success for any youth interested and not just those who are "court involved." Forge Evolution resiliency programing began January 2021.