As a Navy veteran and community volunteer, I’ve spent years mentoring at-risk youth. I don’t have a degree in social work, and I’m not a politician. But I’ve seen what happens when young people feel like nobody’s paying attention—when the only time society notices them is when it’s too late. That’s why I’ve made it part of my mission to step in early, to listen, and to show up before they become another statistic in a broken system.

The Stories Behind the Numbers

You’ve seen the headlines: overpopulated prisons, youth incarceration, racial disparities in sentencing. But what we don’t always see are the faces behind those numbers. I’ve met kids who’ve grown up without a father in the home, who’ve been exposed to drugs and violence from the time they could walk, who’ve never been told they’re capable of more than just surviving.

These aren’t bad kids. They’re kids who’ve been failed by a system that punishes symptoms without addressing the root causes. When you take the time to really get to know them—to sit with them, talk with them, understand where they’re coming from—you realize that many of them are just looking for guidance, structure, and someone who believes in them.

That’s where local change begins. It begins with relationship.

Veterans as Mentors and Role Models

I come from a background of discipline, structure, and service. The Navy taught me the value of accountability, teamwork, and perseverance. Those lessons don’t just apply on a ship, they apply in everyday life. And they’re lessons I now pass on to the young men and women I mentor.

Veterans have a unique role to play in criminal justice reform—not by becoming part of the justice system, but by helping prevent young people from ever entering it. We’ve already served our country. Now we have the opportunity to serve our communities by guiding the next generation. By being the mentor we wish we had. By showing these kids a different path—one paved with purpose, not punishment.

Prevention Over Punishment

One thing I’ve learned as a volunteer is that we spend way too much time reacting and not enough time preventing. We wait until a kid gets in trouble, then we throw the book at them. But what if we invested earlier? What if we built strong local programs that focus on education, life skills, and mentorship? What if we created environments where kids feel safe, seen, and supported?

Criminal justice reform isn’t just about changing laws, it’s about changing lives. And that starts with showing up in the places where the system has historically failed. I’ve seen how a consistent mentor or a structured after-school program can make the difference between a young person finding their way or falling through the cracks.

A System That Reflects the People

Another issue I’ve noticed is the lack of community representation in the justice system. Many of the kids I work with don’t see people who look like them or understand their backgrounds in positions of influence. That creates a disconnect and a deep sense of distrust.

We need more community voices in law enforcement, in policymaking, and in youth outreach. Reform starts when the system reflects the people it’s meant to serve. That means creating space for diverse leadership and listening to those who are closest to the problem—because they’re often closest to the solution.

The Power of Showing Up

I’m not going to pretend that mentorship fixes everything. The challenges are real. But I can say this: the simple act of showing up consistently makes a huge impact. When a kid knows you’ll be there week after week—not because you have to, but because you want to—it changes the way they see themselves. It plants a seed of possibility.

Over time, that seed grows. It looks like a young man deciding to finish school instead of dropping out. It looks like a teenager applying for a summer job instead of getting caught up in the streets. It looks like a kid realizing he has options—and believing he’s worth more than a mugshot.

Reform is a Team Effort

If we’re serious about reform, we have to stop thinking someone else will take care of it. Real change happens when everyday people step up—veterans, teachers, parents, coaches, business owners. It takes a team to raise a child, and it takes a community to shift a system.

You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to care. You need to be willing to invest time, energy, and heart into the people right in front of you. Because when we lift them up, we lift up our entire community.

Final Thoughts

Criminal justice reform isn’t only about the courtroom or the Capitol building. It starts on our streets, in our schools, and in the spaces where kids are deciding who they want to be. We can wait for change to come from the top down—or we can start building it from the ground up.

For me, it starts with mentorship. With giving back. With believing that every young person, no matter where they come from, deserves a chance at something better. Veterans like me know what it means to serve. And now, it’s time to serve again—in the name of justice, hope, and a better future for us all.

The post Criminal Justice Reform Starts Locally: What One Volunteer Learned from Working with At-Risk Youth appeared first on Davaile Durham.

As a Navy veteran and Surface Warfare Officer, I’ve had the privilege of leading sailors, navigating high-stakes missions, and representing something bigger than myself. But one of the most meaningful roles I’ve taken on isn’t found in a uniform or aboard a ship—it’s found in the heart of my community, working with at-risk youth.

Growing up in Missouri, I didn’t have a roadmap. I had to figure a lot out on my own, and I made my share of mistakes. But I was also fortunate enough to have a few people along the way who believed in me. Now that I’ve experienced what structure, discipline, and service can do, I see it as my responsibility to be that person for someone else. Veterans have something powerful to offer our communities, especially our youth—and it starts with showing up.

Why Mentorship Matters

Let’s be honest: a lot of young people today are struggling. Some are growing up in tough environments, surrounded by poverty, violence, or lack of guidance. Many of them don’t see a future beyond their current situation. That’s where mentorship comes in—not as a solution to every problem, but as a spark. Sometimes, all it takes is one consistent adult who listens, encourages, and pushes them to see beyond their zip code.

Veterans are uniquely equipped to be that spark. We’ve lived through challenges, overcome adversity, and learned the value of teamwork, discipline, and accountability. When we share those lessons with young people—especially those who are at risk—we plant seeds that can grow into real, lasting change.

What Veterans Bring to the Table

Military life teaches a lot more than tactics and strategy. It teaches character. It teaches resilience. It teaches how to lead with your actions, not just your words. These are the same qualities many young people are hungry for—especially those who feel overlooked or misunderstood.

Veterans bring experience, structure, and a deep understanding of what it means to serve. We know how to operate in high-pressure situations, how to support a team, and how to bounce back from failure. We also know how to listen, how to adapt, and how to lead by example. These are exactly the kinds of influences our youth need.

I’ve volunteered at youth centers for several years now, and I’ve seen the impact firsthand. Some of these kids have never had a consistent male role model, or any role model at all. When a veteran takes the time to show up, listen, and build trust, it opens a door that might have otherwise stayed shut.

Building Trust, One Conversation at a Time

Mentorship isn’t about preaching or giving lectures. It’s about connection. I’ve learned that listening is just as important as speaking—maybe even more so. These young people want to be heard. They want someone to take them seriously. And when you sit across from a kid who’s been let down over and over again, you realize that building trust isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a process.

Sometimes, it’s talking about school or sports. Other times, it’s sharing my own story—how I started in food service jobs, joined the Navy as a cook, and worked my way up. I don’t sugarcoat anything. I tell them about the tough days, the setbacks, the times I almost gave up. And then I show them that growth is possible. That their story doesn’t have to end where it started.

Creating a Path Forward

One of the things I always try to give the young people I work with is a sense of direction. Not everyone’s going to join the military, and that’s okay. What matters is that they see their potential. Whether it’s college, trade school, entrepreneurship, or service, I want them to know there’s more out there than what they see every day.

Veterans can help create those pathways—not just by talking about opportunities, but by helping them take the steps. That might mean helping someone fill out a job application, practice for an interview, or sign up for a GED program. Small things can lead to big breakthroughs. And when you walk beside someone on that journey, it can change everything.

The Ripple Effect

One of the most powerful things about mentorship is that it multiplies. When a young person sees what’s possible, they begin to believe in themselves. And when they believe in themselves, they make better choices. They influence their peers. They start to dream bigger. That’s the ripple effect—and it’s what keeps me coming back.

Our communities need more of that. They need people who’ve walked through fire and come out stronger. People who can say, “I’ve been there, and I believe in you.” Veterans have the credibility and life experience to lead that charge. We’ve already proven we can serve our country. Now it’s time to serve our neighborhoods.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a veteran wondering what’s next, I encourage you to look around your community. Find a youth center. Volunteer at a school. Offer to speak at a local event. It doesn’t take much to start, just your time and your heart.

Because at the end of the day, mentorship isn’t about saving anyone—it’s about walking alongside them and reminding them that they matter. That they have worth. That someone believes in their future.

And sometimes, that belief is the very thing that changes a life.

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