Youth involved with San Diego County Probation are engaging in a community partnership that creates opportunities for connection, mutual learning and inclusion. Each month, they visit children and teens with disabilities to play games, participate in crafts, and help prepare for school events, including prom—activities that all students enjoy.
The effort is a partnership between County Probation, the County Office of Education’s SOAR Academy—where the participating Probation‑involved youth attend school—and a South Region special education school serving students from elementary age through age 21.
For about a year, groups of four or more SOAR students, along with teachers and Probation staff, have visited the school monthly to help facilitate an after‑school club. The visits center on building relationships and fostering community, with both groups of students contributing their strengths and learning from each other.
“We walk in and we get to work,” SOAR teacher Kara Wilson said. “The staff there adore our students. They’ve been blown away by their empathy and their ability to connect.”
For many SOAR students, the collaboration has been deeply meaningful.
“This is a fun and interesting opportunity,” said an 18-year-old participant. “I’ve always wanted to help people but didn’t know where to start. I want to keep doing this. It makes you want to be a better person.”
Senior Probation Officer Ahine Nunez said staff choose older youth who are ready for the responsibility and the relationship‑building experience.
The special education school appreciates having the same SOAR students return each month, helping the club feel familiar, consistent, and welcoming for everyone involved.
Many of the students at the school use wheelchairs and communicate in diverse ways, including facial expressions, eye movements, and assistive communication devices.
“They communicate clearly through expressions and assistive technology. They enjoy having us there, and we look forward to seeing them too,” said Officer Nunez.
The visits have also had an unexpected effect on the SOAR students. Sharing time with peers who navigate different challenges and experiences has helped them reflect on their own strengths, build empathy, and understand the value of community support and belonging.
County Probation works to help young people grow, heal, and build positive futures—anchored in safety, fairness, and trust, and grounded in partnerships that support everyone involved.
