NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle recently hosted a Youth Justice Forum at its Remington Clubhouse, bringing together young people, judges, government representatives, legal professionals and community advocates for a discussion about civic engagement, youth voice and access to justice in New York.
The forum was developed through the club's Legal Career Pathway Program, a workforce development initiative offered in partnership with the Mariano Rivera Foundation. According to the organization, the program was created in collaboration with the New York State Commission of Jurors under the leadership and guidance of Commissioner of Jurors Dr. Betty Campbell and the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission.
The event welcomed New York State Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson and featured a panel that included Judge Anne E. Minihan, Administrative Judge of the Ninth Judicial District, Judge Maurice Dean Williams of the Westchester County Court, Joanne Dunn, executive director of Youth Shelter Program of Westchester, and Becky Mazzanobile, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle.
"The Youth Justice Forum demonstrates the power of creating opportunities for young people to engage directly with leaders and decision-makers," Mazzanobile said. "When youth are encouraged to share their experiences, ask questions and participate in meaningful conversations about their communities, they develop the confidence and leadership skills needed to create positive change."
Associate Justice Troy K. Webber, co-chair of Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, said the Legal Pathways program is meant to create access to leadership, civic participation and the legal profession.
"Events like this demonstrate the impact of early exposure, mentorship and meaningful dialogue with members of the judiciary," Webber said. "Investing in our youth today strengthens both the legal profession and the communities we serve tomorrow."
Young people used the forum to raise questions and share concerns about issues affecting their neighborhoods, prompting discussions about advocacy, equity and reform, according to organizers, Students from the Legal Career Pathway Program also helped facilitate the event and moderate parts of the discussion.
A featured student leader was Michael Rosario, a current participant in the Legal Career Pathway Program, who co-moderated the forum with Bronx Supreme Court Justice Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster. The club said his role reflected the public speaking, leadership and workforce readiness skills the program is designed to build.
Youth participant Victoria P. said the event left an impression.
"I felt the session was informative and I learned a lot about things I never really thought about as a young lady," she explained. "The world is changing, and it's important to know your rights."
The Legal Career Pathway Program is part of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle's broader Workforce Development initiative. According to the group, it gives participants exposure to legal and justice careers, along with mentorship, career readiness support and training in leadership, communication and financial literacy.
Learn more at BGCNR.org.
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