By ALESHA CAPONE
DONNA Ascher’s working life gives her a unique insight into the lives of young people in the criminal justice system.
Ms Ascher, of Deer Park, is employed at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court as a senior court advice officer for youth justice.
Ms Ascher has held the position for 24 years, after starting out as a volunteer.
She works with youths who have experienced issues including dysfunctional families, abuse, neglect, school bullying, intellectual disabilities and mental health issues.
“We facilitate referrals, we do one-on-one supervision with young people and try to divert them out of the criminal justice system,” Ms Ascher said.
“Young people teach adults a lot, that is what I’ve found, which is why I’ve stayed in this job for so long.”
Despite the tough tales she hears from young people, Ms Ascher said she took delight from their success stories – such as the teenager who followed in his mother’s footsteps to become a drug addict but turned his life around, or the 15-year-old girl who had behavioural problems but is now studying engineering.
“She was the most challenging and also the most rewarding to work with,” Ms Ascher said.
Ms Ascher’s passion for helping young people has inspired her to join the 2013 Whitelion Bail Out at the Old Melbourne Gaol on Friday 31 May.
The annual event raises money for Whitelion, a not-for-profit group which offers mentoring and support programs for disadvantaged young people.
The bail out will see Ms Ascher and her ‘Top Dogs’ team of four other women, including daughter Bianca, experiencing a night at the Old Melbourne Gaol similar to what a homeless youth or prisoner might.
Each participant must raise $1,000,000 for Whitelion to secure their ‘bail out’.
To donate see www.whitelionbailout.org.au, donna.ascher@dhs.vic.gov.au or call 0401 149 629.
