ORANGE, CA- (August 8th, 2025)- In a visit underscoring the growing legislative focus on juvenile justice reform, California State Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-68) spent an afternoon connecting with system involved youth, staff, and community partners at the Orange County Probation Department (OC Probation).

The afternoon included a presentation from the Juvenile Hall Youth Council, a group of youth leaders selected from each unit based on their behavioral growth and leadership potential. These youth serve as representatives for their peers in a variety of arenas for advocacy. During the discussion, youth council members shared about events that build their organizational and life skills, including events like game nights and a car show. 

One youth reflected on the chance to be a role model for other youth in the facility, stating “I’ve been in here for a minute… long enough to see the same cycle repeat with other youth coming in. Being on the youth council gave me a reason to step up. I used to be part of the problem but now I try to be part of the change. I know they’re watching me, the way I move, how I talk. If I can help one of them not go down the road I did, then I can contribute positively to the experience my peers have”.  

Assemblymember Valencia also met with Project Kinship, a community-based organization working alongside OC Probation to support youth through mentorship, education, and mental health services. A short film and open conversation focused on themes of transformation and second chances: values at the heart of Project Kinship’s mission to break cycles of system involvement.

The Assemblymember then toured the Multipurpose Rehabilitation Center (MRC), home to robust vocational and educational programming, including a fully equipped auto shop and a College Occupational Program classroom. These programs are designed to prepare youth for self-sufficiency and success well beyond their time in custody.

In a spontaneous moment that captured the day’s spirit of connection and community, Assemblymember Valencia even joined Chief Daniel Hernandez for a quick throw of a football, which showcased the trust and collaboration that OC Probation strives to build across all levels of engagement, including with state leadership. As a former D1 Football player, Assemblymember Valencia remarked on the team spirit and collaborative nature of the work OC Probation does daily.

OC Probation remains committed to public safety, grounded in dignity, innovation, and youth development. As the State of California continues to explore and shape new juvenile justice policies, the work being done within OC Probation’s Juvenile Hall offers a compelling model for how systems can transform lives through opportunity and care.