The Center for Improving Youth Justice (CIYJ) is honored to announce Dalton from Alabama and EF from Oregon as the 2023 recipients of the J. Russell “Russ” Jennings Scholarship and Mentoring Award.
Dalton aspires to be a marine biologist and will be matched with Stephen Kaplan as he works toward his associate’s degree in science. Inspired by teachers and others at the Alabama Department of Youth Services, he is pursuing his dreams for higher education.
E is studying for their master’s degree in justice studies. They are learning all about their state justice system from the inside to one day be able to create second chances and opportunities for others that they never got. E will be matched with Jaclyn Cirinna, PbS’s first Youth Coordinator.
The CIYJ J. Russell “Russ” Jennings Scholarship: Established in honor of Russ Jennings and his extraordinary contribution to the lives of countless young people and colleagues in juvenile justice, the CIYJ Russ Jennings Scholarship and mentorship recognizes both the importance of continued education after high school and the challenges of completing programs over the course of 12-24 months or longer. The scholarship provides a mentor and $15,000 for tuition and other education costs to earn a degree or technical vocational certification.
