Over 8,000 juveniles are arrested in Philadelphia each year, most of them first-time, non-violent offenders. The District Attorney’s Office started the Youth Aid Panel (YAP) program in 1987 as a way to keep these offenders out of jail and re-connect them with their communities. Instead of criminal trials, the youth who participate in YAP meet with a panel of volunteer community members who determine the form of discipline, which can include civic training workshops, writing assignments, and community service. While the program has been largely successful, identifying appropriate community service sites has been an ongoing challenge.
In spring 2007, Drexel students in a class called “Learning by DUing” will take on the challenge of cultivating new service sites. To assist them in these efforts, Avencia developed maps highlighting resources in each of the YAP communities, which are defined by police district boundaries. This research, spearheaded by Megan Heckert, led to the production of a series of maps showing locations of schools, libraries, recreation centers, boys and girls clubs, YMCA’s, and places of worship within each police district in the city. These maps will aid the class in their efforts to identify meaningful community service sites and enhance the YAP program’s efforts to keep these young offenders out of trouble.