Rock to the Future is excited to announce a new Diversion Program in partnership with Philadelphia's District Attorney's Office. This innovative program bridges the gap between music education and youth empowerment, providing young individuals with opportunities for personal growth, goal-setting, and talent development. By participating in Rock to the Future’s transformative musical and youth development programs, youth referred to the program can have their records expunged, paving the way for a brighter future.
The Diversion Program works through a volunteer-based Youth Aid Panel, which refers teens to Rock to the Future’s out-of-school time programs located in Germantown. These panels play a crucial role in the restorative process, bringing together the juvenile's family, the crime victim, and community members to create a plan that everyone agrees upon. This plan holds the juvenile accountable while helping them avoid a criminal record that could negatively impact their future. Successful completion of the plan results in the expungement of the juvenile’s record.
Rock to the Future’s CEO and Founder, Jessica Craft, emphasizes the importance of providing young people with opportunities for growth and development. “Young people deserve opportunities for personal growth and development to achieve long-term success,” says Craft. “It’s critical that we work together to provide teens with alternatives to support pathways to peace instead of violence.”
Looking ahead, there are plans to expand this valuable program to Rock to the Future’s other service areas, including Kensington, Hunting Park, and West Philadelphia, by the end of 2024. Through this partnership, Rock to the Future and the District Attorney’s Office aim to create positive change in the lives of Philadelphia’s youth, offering them a chance to overcome their past and build a successful future.