Juliette’s House Hosts Tour to Inspire Future Criminal Justice Professionals from McMinnville High School

At Juliette’s House, the focus remains on fostering community, education, advocacy, and providing opportunities for students interested in our work. Recently, over 30 students from McMinnville High School’s Criminal Justice Pathway were welcomed for an educational tour of the organization’s clinical and therapeutic spaces.

This annual event, which is organized by Julie Siepmann, our Senior Clinical Services Director and Lead Forensic Interviewer, in partnership with Russ Ludwig, a teacher in the Criminal Justice Pathway, seeks to introduce students to the vital work happening in the areas of child advocacy and legal services, which they may not have previously considered. This year’s event saw a record turnout of students eager to learn more about potential careers in criminal justice, child advocacy, and social services.

A Comprehensive Learning Experience

The students received an in-depth tour of the Juliette’s House facilities, learning about the various roles within our clinical services and trauma recovery therapy teams. They were introduced to the educational requirements and professional experiences necessary for different positions, along with information on internship opportunities that could help them further explore these career paths.

The tour highlighted the collaborative efforts of the multidisciplinary team, allowing students to observe how roles like forensic interviewers and therapists work together to support children and families. Throughout the visit, students had the opportunity to ask questions about Juliette’s House operations, the services provided, and the essential skills needed for pursuing careers in criminal justice.

A Record-Breaking Turnout

Russ, who has organized these tours for several years, noted that this was one of the largest groups of students to participate in the Criminal Justice Pathway program. In previous years, fewer students expressed interest in this career path, but this year’s group showed overwhelming enthusiasm! This was particularly impressive given that the event took place outside of school hours, with students dedicating over two hours of their evening to engage thoughtfully with the team at Juliette’s House.

Coordinating a group of this size required careful logistical planning, and the students demonstrated patience and curiosity throughout the tour. Although Julie was initially scheduled to lead the event, a scheduling conflict meant that Kate Hargett, one of our Forensic Interviewers at Juliette’s House, took over the responsibility. This allowed Kate to connect with students and share her expertise and passion for forensic interviewing and child advocacy.

Our CEO, Russell Mark, also stepped in to lead part of the tour, providing valuable insights into the development of the Family Justice Center. His presentation highlighted the innovative efforts of Juliette’s House and its community partners to improve services for families affected by abuse and violence. The students were inspired by the strides being made to reduce violence in the community and the potential roles they could play in the future.

Looking Ahead

While no photos were taken of the event, the students were very enthusiastic about their support in our mission. Many asked for brochures and additional materials to learn more about Juliette’s House and the services we provide. The hope is that some of these bright and motivated students will consider careers in child advocacy or criminal justice.

Our Juliette’s House team remains passionate about the work being done at the organization and about inspiring the next generation of professionals! This event served as a reminder of the importance of nurturing interest in these critical fields and providing informative opportunities. Juliette’s House looks forward to continuing to offer educational experiences like this, helping students explore their future careers and their potential impact on the lives of children and families.

A special thanks to Russ, Julie, Kate, Russell, and the staff at Juliette’s House for making this event such a profound success!