Community-based Youth Intervention is both a public-safety strategy and a responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Programs that connect young people with trusted mentors, mental-health support, positive activities, education, and job opportunities can address problems before they lead to violence, substance use, school dropout, or involvement with the justice system. Preventing a crisis is less costly than paying for repeated emergency responses, court proceedings, detention, and incarceration. I support investing in locally designed programs that involve families, schools, law enforcement, nonprofits, and culturally responsive community organizations. These programs should be accessible in rural communities and evaluated through clear outcomes, including school attendance, reduced reoffending, employment, and safer neighborhoods. Youth intervention is not being soft on crime it is preventing crime while giving young people a meaningful path forward.

Community-based Youth Intervention is an essential, high-ROI investment. Upstream prevention through mentorship, diversion, and mental health support keeps young people on track while significantly reducing downstream enforcement, court, and incarceration costs for local taxpayers. In the Senate, I will advocate for accountable, data-driven funding that empowers local organizations to deliver measurable public safety results.

I've prioritized this in my own life as evidenced by my commitment for decades to both Scouts and Church youth programs.

Absolutely agree with this!

Youth Intervention and training is a smart way to get started on the journey of life. Minnesota is lucky to have an energetic community supporting this effort.

I would like the majority of the funding to come from the communities where they operate, and an emphasis on getting more private donations and less public funding if possible

Yes. I strongly believe that investing in young people early—through mentorship, education, community-based programming, and other interventions—can improve public safety, strengthen communities, and reduce long-term costs to taxpayers. That commitment is personal to me. I co-founded the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers’ Pathways Program to help expose students to careers in law and create opportunities for the next generation, and I also serve as an adjunct law professor. Both experiences have reinforced my belief that when young people have access to supportive adults, meaningful opportunities, and pathways to success, our entire community benefits.

I have worked in youth development for most of my career, and I believe strongly in the important role community-based youth intervention plays in making sure all young people get off to a strong and healthy start.

Youth interventions are prerequisite for stable & productive adult behaviors.

I am all for anything community driven, rather than government. Especially caring for our youth.

Investing in our youth moves us to building strong communities for the future

Willing to discuss, but currently skeptical.

I need to know more about the organization to make an informed assessment.