LEAD AGENCY NAMED FOR MOUNT VERNON INITIATIVE

The Youth Shelter Program of Westchester (YSOW) will be the lead agency in a new partnership with the 9th Judicial District and Mount Vernon City Court”™s Emerging Adult Justice Part, an initiative created to provide meaningful opportunities for resolving criminal cases by pursuing alternatives to conventional prosecution, sentencing and incarceration for young people between the ages of 18-25.

Headed by Executive Director Joanne Dunn, YSOW will provide the coordination of services and case management for all involved within this critical project. The objective will be connecting young adults with services, resources and opportunities through a collaborative effort involving public and private stakeholders to place emerging adults on the path of success and self-autonomy in becoming productive members of society.  

Dunn said, “What we know here at the shelter is that young people are far better than the worst thing that they”™ve done. We focus on their dreams, their aspirations and their ambitions”¦to become successful members of their communities. And after 40 years of successfully providing meaningful opportunities for young people to turn their life around, I am grateful to the city of Mount Vernon to allow us to take the lead here,” she said.