New Hampshire Department of Corrections and Manchester Police Athletic League Launch "CHOICES" Initiative to Support At-Risk Youth

Manchester, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Corrections (NHDOC) and the Manchester Police Athletic League (MPAL) are proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership through the CHOICES initiative, a restorative justice program aimed at fostering positive community impact by supporting high-risk youth in Greater Manchester.

The CHOICES initiative—Creating Hope, Opportunities, Inspiring Change, Excellence & Success—builds on MPAL’s mission of strengthening bonds between young people and law enforcement while addressing the challenges faced by at-risk youth. Through this collaboration, NHDOC will provide unique mentorship opportunities by involving individuals under the department’s supervision, who have completed training and demonstrated their commitment to community betterment.

“This partnership with MPAL allows the Department of Corrections to engage in meaningful intervention at the community level,” said NHDOC Commissioner Helen Hanks. “Through CHOICES, we are creating new opportunities for individuals under our supervision to share their experiences with today’s youth, helping them understand how positive decisions can change lives and, ultimately, establishing a strong diversion resource for our youth. Together with MPAL, we’re partnering to provide a critical resource for youth in our community.”

The CHOICES initiative is structured around two key elements:

1. Mentorship in the Community: NHDOC-approved volunteers from community supervision programs engage with youth through MPAL’s intervention programs. These individuals share their personal journeys, helping young people see the importance of making positive life choices.

2. On-Site Engagement: Selected high-risk youth, identified and recommended by MPAL or juvenile justice staff, participate in guided visits to a state prison facility. During these visits, youth meet for supervised candid group/panel discussions, that illustrate the long-term impact of choices and offer an opportunity for mutual understanding.

MPAL has a long-standing commitment to providing Greater Manchester’s youth with a safe, supportive environment that encourages personal growth and positive relationships with law enforcement. The organization’s work with at-risk youth is guided by evidence-based practices and has made a significant impact on countless young lives. The partnership with NHDOC through the CHOICES program deepens MPAL’s outreach by incorporating real-world perspectives from adults who have turned their lives around and now want to give back.

“We are thrilled to partner with NHDOC for our CHOICES initiative,” said MPAL Executive Director John Rainville. “Our goal is to empower youth with tools for success and hope for a better future. By connecting them with mentors who understand their struggles, we are creating a bridge of empathy and understanding that we believe will lead to lasting, positive change.”

The CHOICES initiative is closely aligned with New Hampshire’s Probation Transformation initiative, launched in early 2023, which emphasizes diversion and accountability to keep youth out of the juvenile justice system. Both MPAL and NHDOC will continue to collaborate on ways to build stronger, safer communities through innovative, restorative approaches.

For more information on CHOICES and how to support MPAL and NHDOC’s work with youth, please visit https://www.manchesterpoliceathleticleague.org or email info@manchesterpoliceathleticleague.org.

About NHDOC:

The New Hampshire Department of Corrections is responsible for the oversight of three correctional facilities, a specialized treatment unit, four transitional housing units, and statewide probation and parole. The department is committed to increasing community reintegration for those being released by providing safe, and humane supervision and evidence-based rehabilitation to enhance public safety in New Hampshire.

About MPAL:

The Manchester Police Athletic League strives to foster and maintain positive relationships between the youth of the Greater Manchester area and members of the Manchester Police Department. MPAL offers area youth a safe and structured environment to help kids grow, make the right choices, and become productive members of the community. By providing mentoring through athletic, educational, and enrichment activities in the after school/early evening and school vacation hours, we believe we are making champions both in and out of the gym.