Peer Court Youth Volunteer Application

 

Position Title:  Peer Court Youth Volunteer

           

Program Description

Peer Court in San Francisco is part of a national movement of youth-led Restorative Justice programs also known as youth courts and teen courts.  Youth and adult leaders work together with victims, families and community members on actual juvenile justice and school discipline cases to offer Restorative Justice alternatives to the traditional juvenile justice system.

 

By working to resolve these cases, you can help prevent community crime and violence, improve community safety, and reduce arrests, suspensions and victimization in your school and neighborhood.

 

Peer Court is an excellent opportunity for youth to provide a positive change in their community, solve real problems, gain skills, work with other local leaders, and help to keep their fellow students in school and out of the juvenile justice system.

 

Position Description

Youth Facilitator is a volunteer position. Facilitators will perform some or all of the following activities:

·         Practice restorative justice in their school and community

  • Facilitate small group conferences, serve on the Teen Court jury, and/or other RJAY programs
  • Work with victims of crime and community members
  • Lead, or serve on,  a team of youth volunteers
  • Develop case plans for offenders and victims
  • Research community assets and needs
  • Design and implement community service projects
  • Serve on San Francisco commissions or other groups that may help promote Restorative Justice
  • Perform outreach to schools and community organizations to help establish Peer Court in the City
  • Recruit new members into the program from a variety of schools and neighborhoods

Expectations and Responsibilities

Program Facilitators will be expected to:

  • Be at least 12 years of age and live or attend school in San Francisco
  • Complete basic restorative justice training and observation (approximately 12-36 hours)
  • Pass a skills test based on training
  • Commit to serve on Peer Court for at least 1 year
  • Maintain positive behavior at home, in the community and at school
  • Maintain a 2.0 GPA and good standing in your academic classes
  • Sign acknowledgement, follow and support all program rules
  • Sign confidentiality agreement and maintain confidentiality of Peer Court cases and participants
  • Pass a background check with no offenses against youth (other restrictions may apply)
  • Other responsibilities and expectations as noted

 

COMPLETE APPLICATION ON-LINE AT:  www.peercourt.org  OR

FOR QUESTIONS OR TO RETURN COMPLETED APPLICATION CONTACT:

Tony Litwak, Program Director

Peer Court, California Community Dispute Services

502 Seventh Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

Ph: (415) 865-2524  Fax: (415) 865-2538  E-mail: tony@peercourt.org

 

Peer Court Volunteer Application

         

Applicant’s Contact Information

 

Full Name ____________________________________________ Date of Birth _____________________

 

Address ________________________________________ City _________________ Zip _____________

 

Phone _______________________________ Email ___________________________________________

 

Name of School ____________________________________________ Grade______________________

 

What neighborhood are you from? ________________________________________________________

 

What languages do you speak fluently? ____________________________________________________

 

What race or ethnicity do you identify with? _________________________________________________

 

Gender (circle one)   Male   Female          Referred by _______________________________

 

Parent/Guardian and Emergency Contact Info

    

Parent/Guardian Name ______________________________________ Phone # ____________________

 

Address ________________________________________ City _________________ Zip _____________

 

Parent/Guardian Name ______________________________________ Phone # ____________________

 

Address ________________________________________ City _________________ Zip _____________

 

Other Emergency Contact _____________________________________ Phone # __________________

 

Address ________________________________________ City _________________ Zip _____________

 

Agreement

By signing below, I agree to the following terms…..

  • I promise that all information given in this application is true and correct.
  • I promise to keep confidential all personal information I learn at Peer Court.
  • I give Peer Court permission to use my image and/or my child’s image in promotional materials such as photographs, videos, etc.
  • I give my consent to have a background check performed by the Juvenile Probation Department, LiveScan or other agency to check for current probation status and any history of offenses against minors.
  • I have read and understand the Program Expectations and Responsibilities.

 

Signature of Applicant _____________________________________ Date_____________

 

Signature of Parent/Guardian _______________________________ Date _____________


 

Peer Court Volunteer Application

 

Short Answer – Background and Qualifications

 

  1. Why do you want to participate in Peer Court?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. What strengths or qualities do you possess that make you a good candidate?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. What are some important youth issues facing your school and community?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. If it were up to you, how would you address one of these issues?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Please list any programs you attend, leadership experience you have, jobs you have held, training programs you have completed or community organizations you work with (attach extra pages if needed)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOUTH SIGNATURE ____________________________________ DATE _________


 

Peer Court Volunteer Application:  Parent Permission

 

By signing below, I give my child permission to participate in Peer Court activities, including but not limited to the following:

 

  1. Training at CCDS -- Participate in Peer Court training sessions and other activities at CCDS offices at: 502 Seventh Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Phone 415-865-2524

 

  1. Peer Court Service -- Serve on a school or neighborhood Peer Court.

 

  1. Field Trips -- Attend out of school activities including Field Trips with Peer Court staff. Your permission will be requested in writing for each Field Trip.

 

  1. Media Release/Permission To Use Image, Voice or Likeness -- Peer Court advertises its program through videos and other promotional materials that are distributed to youth and adults who may be interested in the program as volunteers, participants, funders or other stakeholders. By signing below, I give my permission for Peer Court to use and distribute my own or my child’s image, voice or likeness in promotional materials developed by or about the program including newsletters, photographs, film, video, printed materials, audio recordings or other forms.

 

  1. Travel to Other Schools -- I grant permission for my child to provide Peer Court services to students at other schools as arranged and attended by Peer Court staff.

 

  1. Travel with Peer Court Staff -- I grant permission for my child, when necessary, to travel with Peer Court staff members in their private automobiles to and from Peer Court functions such as hearings, field trips, training sessions, etc.

 

  1. Contact by Peer Court Staff -- I understand that to operate Peer Court properly it may be necessary for Peer Court Staff to contact, or be contacted by, my child via telephone, email, or in person at the school site.

 

  1. Background Check -- I give my consent to have a background check performed by the Juvenile Probation Department, LiveScan or other agency to check for current probation status and any history of offenses against minors.

 

I certify that I am the Parent/Guardian of _______________________________________ and I acknowledge and give my consent to the above outlined eight (8) items.

 

Name of Parent/Guardian:  _______________________________ Phone______________

 

Address _________________________________ City ______________ Zip ___________

 

Signature of Parent/Guardian _______________________________ Date _____________