Collective Action for Youth describes Credible Messengers program, reports zero juvenile‑probation reoffenses and ARPA funding

Tiffany Echeverria of Collective Action for Youth told a City Committee on June 4 that the nonprofit’s Credible Messengers program matches justice‑impacted mentors with young people to address immediate needs, create individualized plans and connect mentees to partner organizations for training and services.

“Collective Action for Youth is a nonprofit dedicated to creating communities where all young people can thrive,” Echeverria said. She described a model in which mentors with lived experience make multiple weekly contacts, meet mentees where they are, and link them to services ranging from emergency groceries to vocational training.

Echeverria said the program received an initial $500,000 pilot and later a $2,000,000 expansion funded with ARPA dollars administered through the city health department; she said $1.5 million of the expansion is dedicated to…