PYJ Medal Winners

Run 4 Change — Cook County Juvenile Probation Department

pyj_medal_silverCreated by the Cook County Juvenile Probation Department, the Run 4 Change program helps youth avoid additional involvement in the justice system by focusing on physical activity combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and interactive peace circles. The program teaches young people the coping skills they need when faced with trauma, and by building health and individual skills with the pro-social, group activity of running, the department hopes to reduce the chances that program participants will commit another crime and end up returning to the court system.

Read about Run 4 Change in the Chicago Tribune.

tribunepic
Cook County juvenile probation officer Francisco Arenas, from left, and three 18-year-olds on probation — Marvin Humphries, Najee Johnson and Andre Cubilette — meet in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood on June 3, 2016. The 18-year-olds completed a pilot behavior intervention program that teaches at-risk youths coping skills and trains them to run a 5K race. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)