Project Spotlight

Initiative Description

AnAR/AOPapproach was infused by focusing on “structural solutions to structural problems.”

The newly createdASU Youth DetentionTutoring Program supports the academic goals of youth experiencing detention through providing them high-quality volunteer tutoring. For youth, our goal is to supplement the education they receive in the Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Facility and promote their academic achievement by providing themASU students who conduct free, high-quality tutoring within the facility. For ASU students, our mission is to train them to become effective tutors, allies, and advocates whose community embeddedness enables them to deeply understand and promote structural solutions to structural problems.

Initiative Impact

Both ASU students and youth experiencing detention took lessons away from the program.

“Probably the the biggest highlight in terms of you know, metrics or things like that, but also really about the lease on life that it gives kids who are justice involved is three of the kids that we worked with got their GEDS by the end of the semester. And that was something that I'm really, really happy about.”

Dr. Fine touched on some of the tutors’experiences:. "Some of the detention officers specifically, concretize their views.And some of them challenged their views too, which was really interesting to see over time...And so they thought the reality wasn't necessarily fully aligned with what they were taught [in courses].”

What’s next?

Dr. Fine intends grow the program with new partnerships.

“Our goal is to double the size of the program in the Fall. Partnering with the county and folks with Journey.do, we plan to train up to 10ASU tutors who can support youth as the earn not just their GED, but also high school credits and evenASU credits while in detention.”