Angel Bartlett, 27, of Hampton, was presented with the Virginia Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice’s 2008 Virginia Spirit of Youth Award. The award was presented in conjunction with the 2008 Making a Difference in Juvenile Justice Conference in June. In addition to the award, Angel was also presented with an educational scholarship and the Virginia Juvenile Justice Association (VJJA) was among the donors.
Modeled after the National Coalition for Juvenile Justice’s Spirit of Youth Award, the Virginia Spirit of Youth Award recognizes and celebrates a young adult, under the age of 28, who has made great strides following involvement with the juvenile justice system; has overcome personal obstacles; and is making significant contributions to society. The award is in its third year in Virginia. Previous Virginia winners have included Forrest Perry of Rocky Mount and Marvin Gumba of Norfolk. (You can read about Forrest in our archives at: www.vjja.org/eAdvocate/Summer2007).
Angel was nominated for the award by VJJA President Beth Stinnett, Hampton Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Judge Jay Dugger and Deputy Director of Hampton Human Services Wanda Rogers. A former foster care child, probationer, and resident of Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, Angel is now a college graduate, a full-time government employee, a full-time graduate student, a homeowner, a biological parent and a foster care parent.
Through her work as a Family Crisis Stabilization Worker at the Hampton Department of Human Services, Angel has become a dedicated and vocal advocate for children in both the dependency and delinquency systems. She and her colleagues work closely with the staff at the Hampton Court Service Unit to ensure that children from families in crisis do not enter secure detention by default when detention would not have been indicated by the seriousness of the charge. Instead, workers respond on-site and children and families are offered intensive services and respite. Angel is proud to be employed in a position in which she can have a direct impact on children and families and prevent children with circumstances similar to her own from being removed from their families and penetrating deeper into the delinquency system.
In her letter supporting Angel’s nomination, Deputy Director Rogers said, “I first met Angel at a Juvenile Justice Conference where she served on a youth panel. I remember Angel talking about being in foster care and how the separation from her family made her feel. She also talked about her involvement in the juvenile justice system. She reflected on her anger and turmoil as she tried to navigate the foster care system and the juvenile justice system. It was very difficult and at times she felt very lonely. I am especially proud that Angel did not give up. Approximately two years ago I was again face-to-face with Angel. This time I was welcoming her as a newly selected social worker at the Hampton Department of Human Services. Despite the obstacles Angel has faced she is an amazing example of the potential that lies within so many of the youth we serve. As I listen to her talk I can hear the determination that she has to help anyone who crosses her path. She has chosen not to be bitter about her circumstances but rather to use them to help others.”
VJJA President Beth Stinnett with
2008 VA Spirit of
Youth Award Winner Angel Bartlett
During the month of June, Angel shared her story before a crowd of professionals gathered at the 2008 Making a Difference in Juvenile Justice Conference, sponsored by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice. Later this month, Angel will again share her story when she serves as a panelist during a workshop at the 71st Annual Conference of the National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ).
VJJA President Beth Stinnett said, “I had the honor of meeting Angel earlier this year through her work with the Hampton Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative. Never have I been more impressed. She is a remarkable young woman, most deserving of the award, and the Association was proud to contribute towards her scholarship. We are also proud to welcome her as one of our newest members.”
Learn more about the Virginia Spirit of Youth Award at: www.dcjs.virginia.gov
Learn more about the National Spirit of Youth Award at: www.juvjustice.org
