The national nonprofit training and policy organization’s first annual awards ceremony webinar takes place Feb. 3
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Renee Henrich – Henrich Communications
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CAMBRIDGE, MASS. — January 27, 2026 -Celebrating advocate and law enforcement leaders making a difference in the youth justice system, Strategies for Youth (SFY), the national policy and training organization dedicated to improving interactions between law enforcement and youth, announced Tuesday the honorees of the organization’s inaugural awards ceremony.
SFY’s First Annual Juvenile Justice Champions Night will pay tribute to the impactful work of four inspirational leaders in a webinar ceremony taking place at 7PM Eastern on Tues., Feb. 3, 2026. The public’s attendance is encouraged and complimentary registration information can be found at strategiesforyouth.org.
“This year’s award-winners highlight the wide range of SFY partnerships – from community advocates to public defenders, from police officers to prosecutors,” said SFY Executive Director Anthony Pierro. “We’re thrilled to recognize the impact of these incredible individuals, dedicated to the idea that every police-youth interaction today shapes tomorrow.”
Founded in 2010, SFY is a Cambridge-based national, nonprofit policy and training organization dedicated to ensuring that all youth interacting with law enforcement experience the best possible outcomes and provides training to both law enforcement and youth.
The organization’s Policing the Teen Brain program is a first-of-its-kind, developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed training for law enforcement that creates improved and predictable interactions with youth, reducing the need for arrests or force. Policing the Teen Brain consistently resonates with participants by translating neuroscience, adolescent development, and trauma-informed practices into practical, actionable tactics officers can immediately apply in their roles. The training program creates a shared language and framework for understanding youth behavior and responding in ways that prioritize safety, dignity, and long-term community trust.
SFY’s Juvenile Justice Jeopardy was developed to address gaps and empower youth with accurate, accessible legal knowledge and practical strategies for navigating peer and law-enforcement interactions. JJJ is a gamified approach to engaging youth and developing their knowledge about the law, consequences of risky conduct, as well as how to stay safe during police interactions. JJJ shows that empowered youth make safer decisions around their peers and law enforcement, promoting predictable and more positive interactions.
SFY’s 2026 Juvenile Justice Champions Night award winners include:
“These four individuals exemplify what it means to be a juvenile justice champion and ensure the best outcomes for youth,” said Pierro. “Each award recipient has demonstrated unwavering support to youth justice and has propelled youth justice work forward in their respective communities.”
SFY also leads national conversations on the need to provide police with youth-specific policies and training. The organization’s 12 Model Law Enforcement Policies for Youth Interaction, released in 2023, provides a foundational blueprint that can be implemented nationwide.
In addition to Pierro and the award winners, Juvenile Justice Champions Night will also feature SFY’s Founder and Strategic Policy Advisor Lisa Thurau, Director of Law Enforcement Training Anthony W. Geraci, and Legal and Juvenile Justice Jeopardy Director Kristen Wheeler to share background and updates about the organization’s work and opportunities for engagement.
New and current partners are encouraged to contact SFY to secure sessions of its groundbreaking training programs, with the organization now scheduling through 2026. SFY welcomes inquiries at info@strategiesforyouth.org or by calling 617-714-3789.
About Strategies for Youth (SFY)
Strategies for Youth (SFY) is a national policy and training organization dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for youth interacting with law enforcement. By providing developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and racially equitable training since 2010 through the Juvenile Justice Jeopardy and Policing the Teen Brain programs, SFY aims to reduce juvenile arrests and enhance public safety, ensuring better outcomes for young people, police, and their communities. SFY’s 12 Model Law Enforcement Policies for Youth Interaction provide a foundational blueprint relied upon by experts and advocates nationwide. More information about the Cambridge, Mass.-based organization can be found online at: strategiesforyouth.org
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