March 30, 2026 – Orange, Calif. – 12 formerly-incarcerated youth graduated this past month from the Young Adult Court (YAC) program, an initiative that provides transitional-aged youth (18-25) in Orange County with low-level felonies the opportunity to pursue a curriculum with the goal of community reintegration and move towards stable employment.
Founded in 2018 through a collaborative effort among the Orange County Public Defender’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Probation Department, Orange County Superior Court, Orangewood Foundation, and UC Irvine (with research led by Dr. Elizabeth Cauffman and team), more than 70 young adults have graduated.
Each day, Orange County sees roughly 125 arrests, with 20% of those being young men ages 18-25. To help address this issue, the Young Adult Court program was created to align criminal justice practices with developmental research for this age group.
Through YAC, youth pursue programming that blends judicial oversight, educational requirements, employment, housing support, and sessions with Hon. Judge Hernandez while receiving clinical treatment from Orangewood Foundation’s care coordinators. The program, which brings youth through four core stages (Engagement, Accountability, Stability & Sustainability, and Attainment), takes youth approximately a year to complete.
“YAC addresses the issues these young adults are facing and provides a holistic solution that puts youth on the right path professionally and personally,” said Dr. Tiffany Mitchell, Chief Program Officer at Orangewood Foundation. “It’s a pleasure to witness these graduations and see what’s next for these young men.”
Erik XXX, a YAC graduate, is now working as a barber and is eager to continue learning. He hopes to own a barber shop one day and manage small businesses to provide for his wife and two children. Gonzalez is also working as a peer mentor within the YAC program.
“Participating in YAC was a life-changing experience for me,” said XXX. “I want to show others who are going through this program to know that there is a solution for everyone.”
Additionally, to further support the development of young adults in the program, Orangewood Foundation, in partnership with UC Irvine and the Orange County Superior Court, opened the Young Adult Court Recovery-Focused House in Fullerton in September. The project was funded through a $2.8 million Proposition 47 grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections aimed to expand mental health and substance use services for individuals in the justice system.
About Orangewood Foundation
Orangewood Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We provide innovative services that uplift and empower young people who face challenges across Orange County and beyond. We are working towards a future where every young person thrives. For more information about Orangewood Foundation’s work or to get involved, please visit www.orangewoodfoundation.org.