Building Pathways: Durham County Youth Home and the Future of the Profession
By Quinn Byars, Alex Gwynn and Joshua Peacock
Mentorship, lived experience and service came together last summer to break barriers and expand opportunities for justice-involved youth through the Building Pathways pilot at the Durham County Youth Home. The Durham County Youth Home is a secure juvenile detention facility operated by Durham County, providing temporary custody and care for youth involved in the juvenile justice system while they await court proceedings or case disposition. In addition to structured supervision, the facility offers education, counseling, and supportive programming designed to stabilize youth, foster positive behavioral development, and help them envision a future beyond their current circumstances.
Each volunteer brought a unique story and perspective, shaping meaningful connections while deepening their own sense of purpose, leadership, and responsibility to the next generation. Their reflections below highlight how this summer pilot impacted the youth and shaped the volunteers’ own growth, purpose, and leadership.
Quinn Byars, Summer 2025 Pilot Attorney Coordinator
What did you hope the youth gained from this pilot, and how did your own life experiences shape how you approached those conversations?
Participating in the Building Pathways pilot at the Durham Youth Home felt deeply personal for me. I entered those sessions not only as an attorney, but as someone who once moved through the juvenile justice system myself and later navigated incarceration as a young adult prior to entering the legal profession.
Because of that journey, my hope for the youth was simple but profound: that they would see possibility where the world has often shown them limits. I wanted them to feel seen, understood, and capable of building a future that isn’t defined by their current circumstances.
Was there a moment during the sessions that stayed with you or shifted your perspective?
What stayed with me most was how engaged and thoughtful the youth were.
They leaned into the legal hypotheticals we used to explore legal theory, the practice of law, and the many career paths within the profession. Their curiosity was real. Their questions were thoughtful. And when asked about their futures, they were able to express their goals and dreams with clarity and hopefulness.
It was a powerful reminder that justice-involved youth are not defined by their charges — they are imaginative, hopeful, and even aware of their potential.
Why does it matter for justice-impacted youth to see lawyers who understand their lived experiences?
There were the looks I received when I shared my own history with the justice system. That moment of recognition, that “you’ve been where we are,” shifted the room. It opened a different kind of trust. It’s why representation matters.
When youth see lawyers who understand their lived experiences, it disrupts the belief that the legal system is something done to them by people who will never relate. It shows them that redemption is real, that their story is still being written, and that their experiences can become sources of strength rather than barriers. For me, this program wasn’t just service, it was a full-circle moment that reaffirmed my purpose and the responsibility I carry to the next generation.
Joshua Peacock, 2025-2026 Open Door Fellow
How did your path from welding in rural North Carolina to law school influence the way you engaged with the youth?
My blue-collar, rural background helps me connect with people outside the legal profession. It shows them that I’ve grown and changed over time, and that no one is bound to a single job, place or circumstance. I want young people to see that their dreams are possible, no matter where they start.
What does it mean for young people to see that there is more than one path into the legal profession?
It’s incredibly important for youth to understand that there isn’t just one path into a profession. I didn’t realize law was even an option until I was older. The road forward isn’t always straight, and knowing that can be empowering. If you keep moving and use your experiences to grow, you can shape the future you want.
What surprised you most about the students at the Durham Youth Home?
I wasn’t so much surprised as I was impressed. Their intelligence, resilience, and the dreams they shared were inspiring. I hope I was able to give them some fuel to keep driving towards those goals.
Alex Gwynn, City of Durham Human Relations Commission, Chair; Open Door Fellowship Selection Committee, Past Member
How did your upbringing and early career experiences shape your perspective on mentorship and access to the legal profession?
As a first-generation college and law school graduate who was raised by my grandparents in rural North Carolina, I understand how much structure, encouragement, and exposure matter in shaping a young person’s path.
During law school, I worked at Durham County Social Services, where I saw firsthand how many families navigate complex systems, while trying to maintain stability for their children. Those experiences shaped my belief that mentorship and exposure are powerful tools. Sometimes what young people need most is simply the opportunity to see possibilities they may not encounter in their everyday environment.
Why is exposure to the legal profession important for youth who may not see lawyers or legal careers represented in their everyday environments?
Programs like this expand imagination. Many youth may never have had the opportunity to speak with lawyers or hear about the many paths within the profession.
What stood out to me most during the sessions was how comfortable the youth felt sharing their dreams. One young person spoke about wanting to own a fleet of food trucks and experimenting with new dishes, while another talked about his love of sports and interest in marine biology. Those moments reminded me that when youth are given a structured and supportive environment, they are more willing to express their aspirations and begin thinking about their futures more broadly.
What did this pilot reinforce for you about the responsibility lawyers have to show up in their communities?
Through my work as Chair of the City of Durham Human Relations Commission, where we focus on building trust between youth, community members, and public safety leaders, I’ve seen how important it is to create spaces for dialogue, mentorship, and support.
The City of Durham and Durham County are actively investing in violence reduction strategies that emphasize prevention, engagement, and opportunity. This summer pilot reinforced that lawyers have a meaningful role to play in that work. When we show up, not only as professionals but as true mentors and community partners, we help create environments where young people feel supported, disciplined and encouraged to imagine a future beyond their current circumstances.
Community Perspectives
“RYSE provides discharge planning services to the youth housed in the Durham County Youth Home. When a youth is detained, they are assigned to a Case Manager who will work with the youth, their parent/guardian and their court counselor to come up with the best plan for that youth to start on a path towards success. For both the youth (ages 10 to 17) in the community of Durham as well as the youth housed in the Youth Home, RYSE completes a needs and strengths screening to connect the youth to whatever service or program that meets their needs. Programs/services include mental health treatment, mentorship, academic services, pro-social activities and more. RYSE makes every attempt to match youth and their families that are local to them and fits within their budget.” — Jennifer McRant, Director Durham RYSE (Resources for Youth Success & Empowerment Assessment Center)
In summary, the Summer 2025 Volunteer Pilot reaffirmed that representation and presence matter. When lawyers and law students show up authentically, they do more than discuss legal careers, they expand what feels possible. As youth programming develops, volunteers will share reflections, adding new perspectives on mentorship, service, and breaking barriers for the next generation.