This Dunham Fund grant will be used to fund the Law Enforcement Youth Academy (LEYA) and the newly formed Alumni Association.
The LEYA Summer Program is a seven-week program designed for youths 14-18, who have the desire to learn about the law and are given the opportunity to interact with police officers, attorneys, deputies, special FBI and DEA agents, judges, city council and elected and appointed officials, such as the Kane County State’s Attorney, City of Aurora Mayor, Kane County Sheriff and the Aurora Chief of Police and Commanders. The youth and a parent must attend a required orientation with the program director, community police officers and the school resource officer.
To date, 310 youth have graduated from the Law Enforcement Youth Academy. This program builds a positive relationship between area teens and the legal system and gives the graduates the opportunity to learn about becoming future officers, agents, judges and attorneys.
The grant would also help the Alumni Association engage with volunteer LEYA graduates, many of whom have moved on to serve as police cadets and officers, members of the military, lawyers, teachers, and area professionals in other fields in the Aurora area.