Tufts senior manages program to help local juveniles get back on track

If successful in completing the diversion contract within the specified time period, participants' offenses do not show up on their records. According to Ladin, the percentage of students who repeat offenses after having completed the program is lower than those who go to court. Ladin sometimes asks juvenile offenders who have graduated from the program to write a short essay on their experience. Ladin said that many of the essays have been inspiring.

"The best part is to see kids who were maybe going down the wrong path, and then six months later, to see that this program really did have an impact and that I was a part of that in their life," Ladin said.

"Recidivism is significantly lower than if they were to go through the traditional court process," Ladin added.

Though Ladin will graduate in May, the program will continue next year. Junior Matthew Kincaid, another Tisch Scholar, has elected to replace Ladin next year and would like to not only expand the program in order to encompass all of Middlesex County, but to also form more partnerships with local non−profits.

As for Ladin, next year he will serve through Teach for America as a seventh− and eighth−grade social studies teacher in Chicago.