Juvenile Program Comparisons
There are many programs that a juvenile can be a part of either willingly or court order to deter from future criminal activity. A juvenile may become a member of a government funded program or non-profit organization that specifies in helping juveniles who have involvement in criminal activities or may have a future leading to incarceration one becoming an adult. In this paper two programs in the state of Virginia that serve to deter juveniles from a destructive future. In a sense these programs can be comparable to programs adults attend, however, the juvenile programs are helpful in a sense that they bring knowledge to young adults and teens about their criminal activities and the future it could bring. One of the programs is called Shining Star Youth Program located in Richmond, Virginia and the second program is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia called the Youth ChalleNGe Program.
The Youth ChalleNGe Program founded in 1993 gives a second opportunity to juveniles 16 - 18 year olds who have dropped out of school in success to providing the teenager counseling, structure, job skills, and service of the community and many more skills to succeed in the future (Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy, n.d.). This is the opportunity for a juvenile to make a decision on their future success and decreases them from street crime and negative social environment. As this is a voluntary program, ultimately, the decision is up to the juvenile to succeed in the future.
The Shining Star Youth Program located in Richmond, VA creates relationships and alliances with other social service organizations and law enforcement agencies work together to achieve a mutual goal. The program services for the community decreases the number of juvenile curfew and youth violations and promotes education within Richmond’s school system promote and build a desire to learn and receive mentoring for success, as well (Shining Stars Youth Service; Virginia, 2008). The program focuses on development services and defining at-risk youths as adolescents or teens that experience behavioral problems that can cause a factor to safety liability to themselves and others. At-risk youths are often imprisoned in a juvenile facility and are often labeled in the community (Shining Stars YS; At- Risk Youth Advocate Services, 2008).
Both programs have a similar goal to decrease juvenile crime and in doing so they give a second opportunity for children and teens who have behavioral problems to focus, mature, and be successful in the future with counseling and mentoring. They also provide values, skills, education, and self- discipline to gain productive citizens creating a decrease in juvenile crime. As stated in the introduction of the ChalleNGe Program is a 22-week program and the participants are 16-18 year olds dropouts from high school that have thought of taking control of their future. The program also has teachers and mentors who guide and instill core values to a teen’s life. Along with core values, the teens also explore leadership skills, life-coping skills, physical fitness, health and hygiene responsibilities, job skills, and academic merit for future life situations (Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy, n.d.). This program is free for all participants and the only things needed for entry is the completed application and basic health and hygiene essentials.
The Rising Star Youth Service focuses on providing steps into a higher education. The youth participants are taught how to communicate with others both written and orally along with a tutor and mentor, ultimately, increasing their scholastic skills. Basic training on computers and life skills provide access to a promising future and member of the community. The programs offered are designed for each youth and the skills they must work on. Mentoring Richmond’s Youth helps those with inappropriate behaviors, setting goals, and interaction with other peers and constructive activities. The Youth Intervention provides constant supervision to those who need escorting through an educational setting. Finally, the Youth Advocate Surveillance Services are in place for the youth in home or group housing and require 24 hour monitoring. This program does cost but has reasonable rates that can be negotiable for public, municipal, or private agencies on budget limitations (Shining Stars Youth Service; Virginia, 2008).
In my opinion, between the the two juvenile programs, I believe the ChalleNGe Youth Program is more effective in reducing juvenile crime for many reasons. It does not cost the participant or parent any money to join the program since it is funded by the government. This is also an award winning program and in 2011 had more than half of the participants graduated with a high school diploma or GED. Also, many joined the workforce and military services and continued to gain a higher level of education. Over the 16 years of the programs duration more than 5 million hours of community service have been offered from these participants and over 100,000 teens have passed and graduated from this program. After reviewing the Rising Star Youth Program, I feel as though a lot of services are provided that are essential for young children and teens but since this is not a free program. Funding could take a toll on families if everything does not go as planned, such as, loss of employment or dedication in the helping process for their child. There was not much information on success rates for these children and iff the process they offer will deter young adults from future criminal activity.

References
Commonwealth Cahllenge Program. (n.d.). National Youth Challenge Program. Retrieved from http://http://www.ngycp.org/site/state/va/

Shining Stars Youth Service Youth Organization Serving Richmond, Virginia. (2008). Youth Organization Service Programs for Richmond Virginia. Retrieved from http://www.shiningstarsyouth.com/