The Philadelphia Police Commissioner’s Community Partnership Award was presented to Lauren Pointer, MSW, ReUp215 Supervisor at PHMC subsidiary Turning Points for Children, for her efforts to strengthen Philadelphia neighborhoods and divert young people from greater involvement in the juvenile justice system.
Partners at the Juvenile Assessment Center nominated Lauren and the ReUp215 program. “I often find myself asking: Are our schools, courts, child welfare agencies and community providers working together effectively for youth and families? When systems collaborate, young people have a greater opportunity to succeed,” said Lauren.
Lauren knows all too well what youth in our communities are facing, as she previously served as a CUA caseworker and supervisor for Turning Points’ LifeSet program, which supports young adults aging out of the foster care system. Programs like LifeSet and ReUp215 are just some of the services for older youth provided by Turning Points.
ReUp215 is a new pilot offering a fresh start for teens with previous criminal justice involvement. The program aims to reduce the number of youth in the juvenile justice system, set them on a path to complete their education, remain free of further criminal charges and prepare for life post-high school.
ReUp215 works with youth 15-17 years old who are currently or previously justice-involved, and lack significant family support and stable housing. The program connects each individual with a caseworker for 24/7 support, a Peer Credible Messenger, a Mental Health Professional, a Parental Engagement Support Worker and community and school activities.
“Juvenile justice has become a passion of mine because it pushes me to look beyond the youth and examine the systems surrounding them,” said Lauren.
Lauren was recognized by Pennsylvania State Senators Vincent Hughes and Art Haywood, along with fellow grantees, all of whom are part of the collective critical investments and transformative work taking place across the state.
