The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office is home to an innovative AmeriCorps program promoting public safety by working with communities plagued by violence and crime to provide various forms of prevention, intervention and education. In 2008, during a period of systematic prosecution of gang activity and the tense, violent reopening of Lincoln High School, the D.A.’s AmeriCorps team began a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) made up of students from the at-risk communities of Southeast San Diego. The board was intended to serve as a direct line between local government and youth in response to troubling increases in delinquency, drug/alcohol use, gang activity, and youth violence, with the dual goal of promoting achievement and engagement, empowering students to raise awareness in their community and participate in civic discourse.

The board allowed students to express their belief early on that a strict focus on gangs and drugs would fall short of truly being able to make an impact in the community. Instead, the group worked to build a broader message of the power of choice that would communicate their powerful perspective on issues related to youth and public safety.

The advisory capacity of the board has fostered strong mentorship between students, executive staff of the District Attorney’s Office, and AmeriCorps VISTA members. Informed by best practices in mentorship, the YAB meets regularly as a group, participates in regular honest and open check-ins before each meeting, and works to ensure consistency and sustainability of services.

Both Lincoln High School and rival Morse High School (to which the YAB expanded in 2010), have high populations of economically disadvantaged students. 85% of students at Lincoln High School meet income requirements for free and reduced lunch programs, and the school currently participates in the Title 1 School Improvement Grant program. Students who were initially unengaged from their schools and their communities have seen great success and improvement in school performance through their four-year involvement in the YAB program. All but one of our students have gone on to college, and are currently thriving at schools ranging from Stanford University to San Diego City College. YAB students have also received training in public speaking and multi-level collaboration.

The Youth Advisory Board has served to connect youth with community organizations and local government agencies, building relationships and sharing resources with lasting impact. These students have had the opportunity to see that they have a place and a voice in civic discourse. The Board’s first major project was a campaign called, “4 or 40: The Choice is Yours,” which led to the production of an Emmy-award winning short film and continued presentations throughout the county. The YAB has received regular requests for these presentations since 2010. They have now presented to approximately 1700 students and educators, and the film itself has had impact nationwide. In fact, the “4 or 40” website (www.choose4or40.com), which includes a student-organized list of youth resources, is the most frequently visited page on the San Diego County District Attorney site.