Fresh Lifelines for Youth

The mission of Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) is to prevent juvenile crime and incarceration through legal education, leadership training, and one-on-one mentoring. We believe that all our children deserve a chance to become more than their past mistakes.

At FLY, we interrupt the pipeline to prison and support youth on their path to healthy, free, and productive lives. FLY is an award-winning nonprofit serving Bay Area youth impacted by the justice system. Our programs connect young people with positive mentors and role models, promote their understanding of the law and their rights, and support them to become leaders among their peers and in their communities. Together with our young people, we also help our justice systems become more just, humane, and equitable.

Spark change: Volunteer with FLY

Our fantastic network of volunteers has helped us achieve incredible results! Last year alone, more than 200 volunteers provided thousands of hours of service to our youth. We are always looking for energetic individuals to become mentors or facilitate our law classes. We provide excellent training and support throughout your time with us. Or perhaps you would like to complete an internship with FLY or contribute other talents and skills. As part of the FLY family, you will create hope and spark change in young lives!  

Teach law-related education – San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Alameda County

In the FLY Law Program, our staff and highly trained volunteers teach a fun, interactive 12-week course using our nationally recognized law-related education curriculum. The curriculum covers relevant topics such as police encounters, accomplice liability, three strikes, theft, vandalism, drugs, gangs, and police arrests. The curriculum is interesting and engaging to the youth, and is an excellent vehicle for us to teach critical life skills like anger management, problem solving, conflict resolution, and resisting negative peer pressure. Read more about the program here.
Teams of two to four facilitators teach FLY’s course in high schools, middle schools, community centers, and juvenile facilities in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Alameda Counties. Classes usually meet once a week for 1.5 -2 hours for approximately 12 weeks. Facilitators must be 20-21 years of age and commit to weekend training and teaching the full course. No prior legal education or experience is necessary — FLY provides a well-developed curriculum and training. For more information about becoming a volunteer law facilitator, you can read our FLY Law Volunteer Job Description and contact the following:

• Alameda County Law Program – Colin Ford, colin@flyprogram.org, or 510-508-8008
• San Mateo County Law Program – Joshua Orcine, josh@flyprogram.org, or 650-417-5191
• Santa Clara County Law Program – Vianni Garcia, vianni@flyprogram.org, or 408-263-2630

When to apply: Anytime; however, we operate on a semester schedule. For fall semester, apply by August. For spring semester, apply by January.

Be a mentor – Santa Clara and Alameda Counties

Many of the youth who come to FLY don’t have positive adults in their lives. Just by giving a few hours a week of one-on-one attention, support, and encouragement, you can spark important changes in a young person’s life. The FLY CAFA (Court Appointed Friend and Advocate) Mentor Program matches motivated adult volunteers with youth ages 14 to 18 on probation in Santa Clara and Alameda Counties. Through the mentoring relationship, youth have a consistent sounding board and a caring person in their life. As a result, they report that they want to make positive changes, that they now have hope for their futures, and that the program has given them more confidence to deal with negative peer pressure.
You and your mentee will spend time together weekly doing the things you like to do. You’ll also get to participate in fun monthly activities, which in the past have included white water rafting, laser tag, ice skating, and a high ropes course. In addition, as a CAFA mentor, you’ll be granted legal standing to act as an advocate for your mentee in the courtroom and at school. You’ll both be supported throughout the match by a FLY case manager, who also helps the mentee set and achieve new life goals.

Mentors must be 21 years of age or older, and willing to meet one-on-one weekly with youth. Also, because building trust and sparking change takes time and consistency, mentors must be willing to make a 12-month commitment. For more information about becoming a volunteer mentor, you can read our FLY CAFA Mentor Job Description and contact the following:

• Santa Clara County: Eberardo Lopez, at (408) 444-1961 or eberardo@flyprogram.org
• Alameda County: Stephanie Sieveke, at (510) 435-8914 or stephanie@flyprogram.org

When to apply: Anytime 

Read about a Stanford student's experience here