all pages in the "Stories" section of the site

Alisa's Story

Alisa's Story

juvenile-justice-system_sign-that-says-changeI'm from a small town in Missouri. It all started when I was 13.

Tips for Writing a Great Story about Juvenile Justice or Adolescent Treatment System Experiences

Tips for Writing a Great Story

Want to tell your story, but don't know how to make it come alive? Here's a few tips:

Stories from Reclaiming Futures: Our Videos

Video Stories from Reclaiming Futures

When a community helps teens struggling with drugs, alcohol, and crime, some magical things can happen. Here, we've collected a few stories of hope, change, and young people reclaiming their futures.

Photo Essay Slide Show

Reclaiming Futures Photo Essay (2004)

About the Photo Essay »

Stories - Estella Rebeiro

Stories: Estella Rebeiro, Changing Lives Through Literature

This was originally posted in two parts on our blog in June 2009. Estella Rebeiro is a senior juvenile probation officer at the Reclaiming Futures site in Bristol County, MA.

The Reclaiming Futures Photo Essay (2004)

Reclaiming Futures Photo Essay (2004)

Thanks for Sharing

Thank You for Sharing Your Story!

Share Your Story: Adults Who Serve Youth

Share Your Story — Adults Who Serve Youth

Name: *
I'd like my name and contact information kept confidential.
Reclaiming Futures will not share any personal information you give us without your permission. However, we may contact you before we post your story to verify that we have your approval.
Email Address: *
*Required.

1. What Needed to Change?

What wasn't working in your community for teens in the juvenile justice system? What was it that adults needed to do to help them get drug-free and crime-free?

2. Changes Made

What did your community do to address the challenges? Did you implement a new screening or assessment tool? Did you involve local businesses in helping teens in the justice system? Or did you change a key policy? Whatever it was, explain it briefly here.

3. Results/Lessons Learned

Did the change(s) work? Did more teens get to treatment, or get connected with a caring adult? What advice do you have for others?

4. Permission *

I'm over 18. I understand that by submitting this information, I authorize Reclaiming Futures and Portland State University to use my story on the Internet or in printed form. I waive any right I might have to inspect and/or approve its use in the finished form.
*Required.

Share Your Story: Caring Adults

Share Your Story — Parents, Guardians and Mentors

Name: *
I'd like my name and contact information kept confidential.
Reclaiming Futures will not share any personal information you give us without your permission. However, we may contact you before we post your story to verify that we have your approval.
Email Address: *
*Required.

1. Challenges

Tell us what challenges the young people in your lives faced. What made it hard for them to get off probation or to get clean and sober?

2. Results/Lessons Learned

What changed? When did things turn around, and why? What advice do you have for others?

3. Permission *

I'm over 18. I understand that by submitting this information, I authorize Reclaiming Futures and Portland State University to use my story on the Internet or in printed form. I waive any right I might have to inspect and/or approve its use in the finished form.
*Required.

Share Your Story: Teens

Share Your Story — Teens

Name: *
I'd like my name and contact information kept confidential.
Reclaiming Futures will not share any personal information you give us without your permission. However, we may contact you before we post your story to verify that we have your approval.
Email Address: *
*Required.

1. Challenges

Tell us about the challenges you faced. For example, what made it hard for you to get clean and sober? Or, was it hard to be on probation? If so, why?

2. Results/Lessons Learned

What changed? When did things turn around, and why? What advice do you have for others?

3. Permission *

I'm over 18. I understand that by submitting this information, I authorize Reclaiming Futures and Portland State University to use my story on the Internet or in printed form. I waive any right I might have to inspect and/or approve its use in the finished form.
I'm under 18. I understand I'll need to mail you a release form signed by my parent or guardian to: Reclaiming Futures National Program Office, Portland State University, 527 SW Hall, Suite 486, Portland OR 97201. Or, I can email a scanned image of the signed form to info@reclaimingfutures.org.
*Required.