A program for today’s youth. Teen Court is designed to
develop respect for authority and the community and to
stop potential delinquent behavior in teens. Teen Court
capitalizes on positive peer influence. Teen Court’s jury
members, attorneys, bailiffs and clerks are all teens.
Teen Court is administered by the Sherman Police Department’s
Youth Mentor Program, whose purpose is to help people help
themselves. The Youth Mentor Program is a community action
organization coordinated by the police department. It is
comprised of adult and teen volunteers acting as mentors and
peer mentors to “at-risk” youth and juvenile offenders in the
community.
The Teen Court represents an alternative approach to juvenile
justice that holds juvenile offenders accountable for a sentence
imposed by a jury of their peers. By offering this alternative
system, we allow youth who have made poor decisions an opportunity
to recognize their mistakes and learn valuable lessons. At the same
time, participating youth increase respect for themselves, schools,
law enforcement, the community and the legal system. Our biggest goal
is to educate youth who make unfavorable decisions to be accountable
for their actions in an effort to prevent further involvement in the
juvenile justice system.
Teen Court is a voluntary alternative to the juvenile justice system.
Participants and their guardians agree to have the matter heard in Teen
Court, in lieu of formal prosecution through the Sangamon County State’s
Attorney Office.
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Project R.I.S.E.
Responsibility Increases Student Excellence
Project R.I.S.E. is a substance abuse, anti-violence, character
education and life skills curriculum taught in the 5th grade at
Sherman Elementary School. R.I.S.E. is a 15 lesson program with
the purpose of preparing youth for the future by equipping them
with strong character education and life skills.
The curriculum includes teacher graded homework assignments and
the classroom instruction of experienced teachers and officers.
The student workbook includes vocabulary words, games, puzzles,
and other reinforcing activities intended to make learning the
information fun.
R.I.S.E. Lessons:
- Introduction & Course Orientation
- Understanding Violence
- Defining Support Groups
- Pressure & Influences
- Dealing Confidently with Stress
- Anger Management Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Balancing Rights with Responsibilities
- Drug Awareness
- Positive Alternative Activities
- Leadership & Followership
- Setting Worthy and Achievable Goals
- Course Review
- Evaluation and Assessment Essay
- Graduation Ceremony
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S.A.V.E.
Students Against Violence Everywhere
 S.A.V.E. is a student-initiated program that promotes
nonviolence within schools and communities. The
Williamsville High School chapter became active in
2003 with the permission of the school administration.
Advisors are selected to represent teachers, parents and
the school resource officer. Students are selected to serve
as board officers. Members attend prevention workshops like
the Illinois Drug Education & Alliance Convention. Service
projects selected by the S.A.V.E. chapter include decorating
local schools and handing out safety pamphlets on National
S.A.V.E. Day and during Red Ribbon Week. Chapter fundraisers
have involved donut sales and hosting a teen dance after a high
school football game. Students get involved in numerous prevention
activities and community service projects. The chapter provides a
positive group environment for the students.
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Choices & Consequences
Choices & Consequences is a series of lesson plans which focus on
the adolescents coming to an understanding of the risks associated
with aggressive, anti-social and criminal behavior. This course of
instruction is an interactive and facilitated class providing the
teen the opportunity to come to positive conclusions on their own,
that decisions they make today can result in life changing consequences.
Each lesson features actual courtroom cases involving teenagers who
have engaged in criminal and aggressive behavior. The videos are of
footage of the actual courtroom testimony. The videos also feature
interviews and perspectives of witnesses, friends and family members.
This portion of the videos is very emotional and hard hitting.
This course of instruction is offered in the Driver's Education Classes
and Life Skills Classes. The age of the students range from 14 to 16
years old. In the future, we would like to extend this to the freshman
health classes and possibly in the middle school.
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Youth Mentor Program
 The Sherman Police Department Youth Mentor/Peer Mediation Program is
community-based and supervised by a Youth Services Officer. The
primary goal of the program is to assess and match each youth with
an adult and peer mentor in their community in an effort to develop
a sustaining and nurturing relationship. This also expands career or
academic options, and aids in eliminating barriers to safe and productive lives.
Effective communications and positive reinforcement provide youth with
necessary support to sustain their new found skills and perspectives.
Mentoring involves a one-on-one relationship between a youth and their
mentors, over a period of time during which consistent support and
guidance is provided. This support is increasingly important, especially
when the youth goes through a difficult and challenging situation or period of life.
The goal of the program is to aid the youth in attaining and maintaining
the skills and confidence needed to become a responsible young adult.
This culminates in the youth’s desire and ability to succeed in
educational and employment opportunities. Mentoring is also
community-building on the part of the mentor. It is a process of
sharing personal knowledge, experience and skills with a less
experienced youth. It requires believing in and caring about young people.
Participation in the Youth Mentor Program is voluntary. Participants
and their guardians agree to program requirements prior to enrollment.
This program accepts youth, ages 10 to 17 years of age.
If you are an adult over the age of 21 and would like to be a mentor
then contact the Sherman Police Department at 496-3256. Get involved!
Volunteer! Help mold and guide the youth of our community.
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