“There are educational services here, in addition to a lot of job leads, representatives from the police department, the probation department, the sheriff’s office. There’s social services agencies, too, everything from the Children’s Aid Society and the Legal Aid Society, foster care agencies who work with kids, community organizations and more,” Hettleman said.
Hettleman pointed out that many people’s experience coming to court is typically for a case or something that is often negative. “This is meant to be a way to share the positives that go on in Family Court and how different agencies work together to try to help kids,” he said.
From left: Court Officer Lonzo Smith, Senior Court Analyst Sara Celestin, Hon. Marjorie Steinberg and Court Officer John Guastaferro. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Ramseur-Usher added that the ultimate goal is to engage the youth and let them know what services are available to them.
“They could get a driver’s license, join an Administration for Children’s Services youth panel and learn how to write a resume,” she said. “These are all such valuable tools that are often overlooked, which is why today is such a special and important day.”
Family Court Judge Gilbert Taylor said that the Teen Day program was created to provide teens, particularly those transitioning into adulthood, with information on how to do very concrete things. “It’s access to a wealth of information that I think everyone can benefit from.”
The event also featured a panel presentation that included Youth Advisory board members from the Legal Aid Society and volunteers from Court Appointed Special Advocates, moderated by Jasiyah Gilbert, client and community engagement manager at the Legal Aid Society.
The panel discussed transitioning out of foster care and helping young people facing similar obstacles.
Mahamadou Gjabralli, 17, in the midst of a resume workshop taught by Diana Moldovan, director of programs at the Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
The Kings County Family Court is a specialized court in New York City’s Second Judicial District that handles matters involving children and families, including adoption, guardianship, foster care approval and review, juvenile delinquency, family violence, child abuse and neglect, child support, custody, and visitation.