WhyForge?
Because we recognize that every child has a choice and a voice. As Colorado Springs Teen Court, we served over 10,000 youth from the Pikes Peak region in 29 years. As incredible as that journey was, we did not want to rest on our laurels. We wanted to do more for our community. And so Forge Evolution began.
We know there are teens out there who need a place to belong, to call their own; we want to be that place, and we want to help them grow into the amazing young people – the leaders of tomorrow – that we see when we look at them.
Because they are more than "Gen Z", or "Gen Alpha", they are our future.
Meaning behind the mission
Forge (verb): To move forward gradually or steadily. For 29 years we helped Colorado Springs teens who made a mistake realize that one bad decision does not have to define who they are. We helped them grow. With our organizational shift to Forge Evolution, we want to help more teens move forward steadily. It is our goal to provide every teen and pre-teen we interact with the life skills, tools, and resources necessary to succeed now and to make their future their own.
Onemission.
Forge Evolution currently offers Teen Court Program and Behavioral Health Services. Both programs provide teens with opportunities to grow, learn new skills, and safe space. Teen Court is offered to participants who have been referred to us for a misdemeanor incident in lieu of a ticket. Behavioral Health Services is offered to Teen Court youth involved and is available to youth in the community needing a safe space to express themselves.
Teen Court
For 29 years, the Teen Court Program has addressed first-time misdemeanor offenses among our Colorado Springs youth. Referred to us by either School Resource Officers or the City Attorney's office, the Teen Court Program is offered in lieu of formal criminal charges.
- If you complete our program, your record is EXPUNGED. Meaning you will not have that pesky record following you around in life.
- Teen Court offers youth the chance to grow from their mistakes and provide them with the resources to do better next time around!
- Upon completion of the program, you are able to volunteer with Forge Evolution and continue doing good in your community!
Behavioral Health Services
Our Behavioral Health Services is a new program that allows us to reach more youth in the community. Our therapeutic techniques are tailored individually allowing self exploration and self expression in engaging, exciting, and inspiring ways!
- Services are covered by Medicaid and CHP, as well as sliding scale.
- Sessions are available both in-person and telehealth
- Each sessions is tailored to the individual specifically.
Meet Bayleigh
Big sister and honor roll student.
Bayleigh came through the Teen Court Program for a shoplifting charge. As it was Bayleigh’s first time getting into trouble, the officer decided that the Teen Court Program would be a good fit for her. After working through our Community Impact Panel, Bayleigh came to ralize that her actions do not only affect herself, but that even minor thefts can take away jobs, increase prices, and impact corners of the community that Bayleigh didn’t even know existed.
Join theevolution.
We are working everyday to create exciting new ways to reach the youth of our community, but we could not do this work without help from all of you! Forge Evolution is so thankful for our community, our long-time supporters, and those who are just discovering our program. There are so many ways for you to get involved!
Get Involved
Volunteering with Forge Evolution programs allow you to work closely with our participants and increase your involvement within our community.
- Act as a case manager for Peer Panels.
- Be a mentor for the student attorneys at Trials.
- Be a positive power of peer influence to stop criminal behavior before it happens.
- Watch our youth grow into confident and competent young people throughout your time volunteering.
- Work closely with youth and other community members to expand your professional horizon.
- Act as a Peer Panelist and make your voice heard in another kid's life.
Donate
Your donation grants Forge Evolution the ability to ensure that youth are receiving our services at a price that is manageable for them.
$50 can provide...
programming at a manageable rate for our low-income families
$100 can provide...
five sessions of our Forge program
$500 can provide...
best practice training to our 180+ volunteers