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Youth Voices Collaborative Writing Contest

July 28, 2020

Last Updated on by Jane Higgins

Know a youth who keeps a journal or loves to write?  Encourage them to share their perspective in this writing contest for young people who have had experience with the juvenile justice system. Their opinion can help the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) create better experiences for other young people who come through the system!

Four winners will each receive a prize of $250.

Who is eligible: Youth ages 14-19 with current or previous juvenile or criminal justice experience.

Youth must write an essay answering one of two essay questions. (See below.)

Their complete entry, including the form and essay, must be submitted online by September 1, 2020. 

CHOOSE ONE ESSAY TOPIC. PLEASE KEEP YOUR ESSAY BETWEEN 250-500 WORDS.

Essay #1:  Write a letter to the head of the facility or program you were in. What is a change the institution can make to better support youth while they are inside and prepare them for release? Why would this make a difference? How would it help young people?
or
Essay #2:  Write a story about a time when a staff member asked the right question or did the right thing. What did they do or say? How did if help? How did it make you feel? 

Enter the contest online: bit.ly/yvc-contest
Deadline: September 1, 2020