Northampton County Youth Mentorship Program

Investing in Our Future: Youth Mentorship and Intervention

The District Attorney’s Office believes that a proactive approach to juvenile justice is essential for the long-term health and safety of our community. By investing in prevention, diversion, and mentorship, we can guide at-risk youth toward positive life choices and break cycles of delinquency before they escalate.

 The District Attorney’s Youth Mentorship Program

In a new and exciting partnership, the District Attorney’s Office has launched a Youth Mentorship Program with student-athletes from Lafayette College. This program is built on the proven principle that a consistent, positive role model can have a transformative impact on a young person’s life.

    Purpose

    The program connects at-risk youth with trained college mentors who provide guidance, build trust, and promote positive decision-making through both one-on-one and group activities.  

    Who It Serves

    The program is designed for middle and high school students who may be struggling academically or socially, as identified by schools, guidance counselors, or probation officers. It also serves youth who are already involved in the juvenile justice system.  

    Program Structure

    Mentors meet with their mentees weekly for one-on-one sessions. The relationships are supported by ongoing contact via phone or text, and the program also includes motivational panels at local schools led by the Lafayette athletes to reach a broader audience of students.

    County-Wide Juvenile Diversion and Partnerships

    The District Attorney’s Office does not work in a vacuum. It serves as a key partner in a wider network of county and community-based organizations dedicated to supporting youth and families. This collaborative approach ensures that young people receive the right intervention at the right time.

    A cornerstone of this strategy is the formal partnership with The IMPACT Project. In 2025, the District Attorney’s Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that empowers all municipal police departments in Northampton County to make direct referrals to The IMPACT Project’s diversion programs for youth who commit summary or misdemeanor offenses. This critical initiative allows law enforcement to divert young people away from the formal court system and into community-based accountability and treatment programs, preventing a minor mistake from becoming a lifelong record.  

    This office also works closely with other vital county agencies, including:

    • Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center: Provides secure detention for community safety and operates non-secure treatment programs focused on rehabilitation, counseling, and education to help youth reunite with their families and avoid future offenses.  
    • Northampton County Children, Youth, and Families (CYF): Provides state-mandated social services to protect children from neglect and abuse, and offers support services to help families overcome problems that can lead to dependency.