Marion County Prosecutor's Office extends youth violence prevention fellowship to younger teens

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is looking for teenagers to take part in a paid violence prevention fellowship.

The prosecutor’s office has hosted the Youth Violence Prevention Fellowship for several years, but this year is extending the opportunity to younger youth.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in the past, the fellowship was open to youth aged 16 to 18. Now it’s available for teens ages 14 and up.

“It is really just because unfortunately, we were seeing young folks, young people being involved in pretty serious offenses,” he said.

Participants will meet elected leaders and learn about policies and programs that aim to keep youth out of the criminal justice system. The teens will also work on a community project to research solutions to youth violence.

“This is our way of providing them with that opportunity to be a part of the conversation, but also hopefully influence policy moving forward because they get exposure to so many elected officials or leaders in our community, as well as what we do in the prosecutor's office moving forward,” Mears said.

The fellowship takes place throughout July, and applicants have until June 10 to apply.