Lancaster’s Bench Mark program has received a statewide award its work in helping justice-involved young people redirect their lives.
The nonprofit was named the 2024 Community-Based Program of the Year by the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission and the Pennsylvania Council of Chief Juvenile Probation Officers. Bench Mark accepted the award earlier this month at the annual Pennsylvania Conference on Juvenile Justice in Harrisburg.
Bench Mark was nominated by Lancaster County’s Office of Juvenile Probation. It did so in recognition of Bench Mark’s comprehensive multi-program approach, director Cheri Modene said.
“They use both evidenced-based programming and mentoring to instill hope and optimism in the youth, guiding them toward success and positive behavior change,” she said.
Bench Mark offers a continuum of care, Modene said, so that program graduates can continue attending open gym, and jobs through a social enterprise program. Its Youth Justice Advisory board gives youth “a voice in our justice system,” offering insight on emerging needs.
Executive Director Will Kiefer founded Bench Mark a little over a decade ago. He said he could not have imagined what it would evolve into.
His team focuses relentlessly on long term impact, he said: Helping young people over years, not months.
“I hope people see this award as what it is: a community effort to build a program that endures,” he said.
