The Game Changers Program is designed to show troubled youth and adults the reality of poor decision-making and negative choices. Sometimes teens experience situations like gang violence, drive-by shooting, and police interactions in a negative way and they have no real sense of the consequences and the impact of criminal behavior.

 At least fifty percent (50%) of the youth population has a misconception that life in the criminal justice system is glamorous. There is a certain level of respect and street credit that goes to an individual who has a criminal history or an affiliation with the criminal justice system. Most affiliations are through a friend or family member who has gone to jail.

Game Changers have a goal to redirect negative behavior and develop partnerships within the community, law enforcement, and schools by emphasizing the legal consequences of violating the law by increasing the understanding of the criminal justice system. This program is not for all youth or adults, but it is for individuals who have begun to demonstrate negative behaviors and lifestyles that are heading them down the wrong path, such as domestic violence, alcohol, drugs, gangs, or criminal behaviors. 

To Become a Game Changer 

While it is recognized that some youth commit serious offenses and may need to be confined within a secure setting, research has shown that many youths in the juvenile justice system are there for relatively minor offenses, have significant mental health issues, and end up in out-of-home placement or on probation by default, or are repeat offenders.

The Game Changer programs are alternatives to initial or continued formal processing of youth in the juvenile delinquency system and for repeat offenders on adult probation.

The purpose of diversion programs is to redirect offenders from the justice system through programming, supervision, and support. Arguments that support diversion programs include the following:

1. Diverting ex-offender who have committed minor offenses away from the system and towards community-based treatment and support options is a more appropriate response than confinement and a more productive way of addressing and preventing future delinquency.

2. Formally processing youth through the juvenile justice system does more harm than good by perpetuating delinquency through ”labeling” and exposing youth to circumstances within juvenile and adult correctional institutions that may increase delinquency.

The Game Changer can benefit from being in this diversion program by learning the consequences of delinquent behaviors while in school, or within their community. The Game Changer will learn that they are active partners in their community and that they can make positive choices that will reduce crime within the neighborhoods and schools. It will also increase efficiency, and reduction in court costs. Building new relationships with your family by gaining resources and support which will improve your relationships.

The I.M.P.A.C.T. Diversion Program Services

The I.M.P.A.C.T. Diversion Program provides Employment Services / Job Training.

- 30 hours of soft skills training

- Job placement within your community

- Job Coaching available

I.M.P.A.C.T. prepares our applicants with the skills to remove barriers to successful employment. The applicant will learn how to become financially independent by way of becoming an entrepreneur, or a valued employee. Each applicant will be assigned to a Job developer who will assist them in employment within San Francisco and nearby cities. 

Referrals:   

All participants in the I.M.P.A.C.T Diversion Program are

 required to complete an application/interview process. Each case is case-by-case situation referrals are taken from schools, community organizations, law enforcement, Parents, and Legal guardian.

Referrals are accepted any time of the year. Programs are 30 Hour sessions; therefore, you may be waitlisted depending upon available space at the time of enrollment.