The Problem

Texas faces a real challenge: thousands of young people are slipping through the cracks. These are youth and young adults, ages 16-24, who aren’t in school or working. Many of them live in communities struggling with poverty, where the odds seem stacked against them. In places like South Dallas, nearly one-third of families are below the poverty line, and these same areas see some of the highest incarceration rates in the state.

The connection isn’t hard to see. Poverty and lack of opportunity often lead to mistakes, and our current justice system doesn’t focus on helping young people turn their lives around. Instead, it traps them in a cycle of punishment and failure. But there’s good news: research shows that there’s a better way.

Programs that meet young people where they are—focused on mentorship, job training, and community support—work. They cost less, prevent reoffending, and help youth become productive members of society. The data backs it up. For example, workforce programs like LSJA’s have an astonishingly low 2% recidivism rate. Compare that to the high costs of incarceration, and it’s clear: helping young people succeed isn’t just good for them—it’s smart for taxpayers and communities too.

It’s time to move away from outdated, one-size-fits-all punishments. Instead, we can focus on solutions that give young people a second chance and help them build a future. When we do, we’ll see stronger communities, safer neighborhoods, and a brighter future for everyone.