Who We Are
Dreams Athletic Center is a 501c3 nonprofit youth-development organization that works in partnership with the Dreams Youth Diversion Program to provide early intervention and community-based diversion services for youth ages 10–16. Guided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s diversion principles, our evidence-informed approach promotes accountability while helping young people avoid unnecessary court involvement, stigma, and deeper contact with the justice system. Through a structured 12-week program and continued aftercare, participants receive boxing-based character development, mentoring, academic support via tuturoing, life-skills education, case coordination, restorative practices, family engagement, behavioral-health referrals, and opportunities for community service. We use a positive youth-development approach that builds on each young person’s strengths, addresses underlying needs, and helps participants improve decision-making, confidence, discipline, and relationships at home, at school, and in the community. We work with youth and families referred by courts, school districts, law-enforcement agencies, and community partners, while collaborating with behavioral-health providers and other service organizations to create coordinated support, measurable outcomes, and safer, stronger communities.
Dreams Youth Diversion Program
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To redirect the behavior of youth ages 10–16 and provide positive alternatives to deeper involvement in the juvenile justice system.
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We envision stronger youth, families, and communities where every young person has the support, accountability, and opportunity needed to succeed.
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We believe every young person deserves to be treated with dignity, supported by caring adults, and given a meaningful opportunity to succeed. We value accountability, equity, family partnership, restorative practices, community connection, safety, and continuous improvement. Our work is youth-centered, strengths-based, and committed to helping young people build confidence, repair harm, make positive decisions, and create stronger futures.
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Our approach s centered on early intervention, individualized support, accountability, and community collaboration rather than punishment alone.
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Juvenile and municipal courts
School districts
Law-enforcement partners
Youth and families
Behavioral-health providers
Community organizations
The Dreams Youth Diversion Program has two referral pathways to enter into the program. Both provide supportive services, but they differ based on whether a young person is already at risk of formal juvenile justice involvement.
1. Court & Juvenile Justice Authorized Referral Pathway
This pathway is for youth who would otherwise face formal juvenile justice processing or another documented legal consequence.
Referrals may come from:
County/City Juvenile Department
District Attorney’s Office
Juvenile or municipal courts, when legally appropriate
Law enforcement
Another authorized justice-system decision-maker
The referring authority determines whether the youth qualifies for diversion and retains authority over the legal case and final disposition. Dreams provides assessment, individualized planning, counseling, mentoring, life-skills development, restorative accountability, family support, and boxing-based youth development.
Successful completion may allow the youth to avoid or reduce further formal processing, depending on the referring authority’s agreement and legal requirements.
2. School District and Community-Referral Prevention Pathway
This pathway is for youth who need early intervention but are not presently facing formal court processing or another documented legal consequence.
Referrals may come from:
Schools or school districts
Parents and caregivers
Community organizations
Mentors, counselors, or other approved community partners
These participants receive support without being labeled or supervised as justice-involved. The purpose is to address behavioral, academic, emotional, family, or social concerns before they lead to deeper school discipline or juvenile justice involvement.
The important distinction
The difference is the youth’s legal status—not the quality of services.
The diversion pathway provides an authorized alternative to formal juvenile justice processing.
The prevention pathway provides voluntary early intervention before formal justice-system involvement occurs.
Both pathways will include mental-health assessment and counseling, mentoring, life skills, family participation, educational support, restorative practices, and boxing-based positive youth development.
A Note to the Parents from the Executive Director:
This program was not designed as punishment. It was created as an intervention before challenges lead to future justice-system involvement and to offer your child a different path. A pathway supported by a caring community of people who are sold on the idea that your child has the potential to do great things. Dreams Youth Diversion Program is committed to providing that guidance because we want to see your child win.
Dreams Youth Diversion Program Q&A
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ’s. If you’re feeling ready, click the “refer a child” button and let’s get started.
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4:00pm - 7:30pm
Mondays & Fridays - Intake & Assessment
Tuesdays - Thursdays - Program Implementation
Fridays - Make-up days
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There are two referral pathways. If a child has had interaction with the juvenile or municipal courts, or law enforcement, you can seek a referral to the Youth Diversion Program through that legal entity.
If a child is in danger of failing courses, have behavior issues, or has been placed in a DAEP program, you may seek a referral through the child’s school district.
A parent or community partner may refer a child, but may encur 100% of the cost.
Select the “refer a child” to get started.
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Our program is different because it uses a community-based, “village” approach to supporting young people. Through coordinated partnerships and appropriate communication with schools, courts, and other referral agencies, the Dreams Youth Diversion Program provides early intervention and works alongside each youth and family to achieve positive outcomes. This collaboration may allow eligible youth an opportunity to complete supportive services before additional disciplinary or justice-system action is considered. Rather than focusing on punishment, we emphasize accountability, personal growth, family support, and a positive pathway forward.
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page, email, or phone number listed at the bottome of this page. We aim to respond quickly, usually within 2-3 business days.
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Our pricing model is based on the youth’s individual needs, the services provided, and the length of participation. Pricing for school and court partnerships are established through separate service agreements and are not publicly disclosed. For parent or community referred youth, an intake and assessment are completed first to determine the appropriate level of support. The family or referring organization then receives a clear program recommendation and written cost before enrollment begins. A non refundable $250 fee is collected to cover the cost of a Comprehensive Intake, Assessment & Individualized Service Plan. Should the decsion be made to move forward with enrollment, this fee will be credited to the program cost.