Corps Member organizes walk to raise awareness about Teen Dating Violence

On October 27th, the Staten Island Youth Justice Center hosted its first annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness Walk. The event was envisioned and executed by young people for young people with the guidance and support of New York Juvenile Justice Corps member, Dana Rachlin, who serves with the Justice Center's Alternative-to-Detention (ATD) program, Project READY.

Corps member Dana Rachlin addresses the crowd before the march

For the event, the Girls Group of READY ATD created banners and t-shirts with slogans of healthy relationships and acknowledgments of those who had been lost to dating violence. The evening started with a moving presentations by individuals who had lost loved ones to dating violence. Assemblyman Mike Cusick spoke about the prevalence of teen dating violence and his commitment to educating young people on how to stay safe. Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan, representatives from the New York City Department of Probation and officers from the local police precinct were on hand to show their support for the cause. The walk was led by participants and alumni of READY ATD. They were joined by teen members and trainees of the Staten Island Youth Court and the Red Hook Youth Court who were led by Juvenile Justice Corps members Leticia Lucero, Edwin Saunders, Lameeka Collins and Sierra Green. In total, 50 young people walked to take a stand against teen dating violence and promote greater awareness amongs their peers about how to have safe and healthy relationships.

Teen members of the Red Hook Youth Court led by Corps members Lameeka Collins and Sierra Green came to show their support

Teen members of the Staten Island Youth Court led by Corps members Leticia Lucero and Edwin Saunders marched in support of the cause