District judge seeks groups to benefit from service program
Rather than fining minor offenders, whose parents often pay on their behalf, District Judge Ronald Arnoni has what he believes is a more productive concept.
Last year, he started a community service program through which youngsters in his jurisdiction who have scrapes with the law can pay their debt to society.
“I really think it’s beneficial for all parties,” said Arnoni, whose district covers Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair. “This is, if you will, a win-win for the community and for the children.”
He is seeking nonprofit groups that can benefit from young volunteers, who in Arnoni’s program also include students, Scouts and others who are interested in service opportunities.
“I’ve found that some of these kids we give community service to often find it so rewarding that they may end up volunteering, where they might not have otherwise,” Arnoni said.
So far, he has relied primarily on word of mouth for participating organizations, compiling a file to which he’d like to add groups from his district and the Pittsburgh region. He has drafted a contact form to submit to his office, along with an explanatory letter.
“This program will, in my opinion, be more meaningful to those individuals who have committed minor offenses, rather than assessing a fine,” it states, also outlining Arnoni’s hopes that offenders will:
• See the value of providing a service for the less fortunate.
• Feel good about themselves for helping others.
• Use the experience to begin anew on a better path.
• Spend their time constructively.
“I make them very clearly understand that, in some ways, they’re getting a break here, and that they don’t want to see me again, because they likely won’t get the break again,” Arnoni said. “I often use the statement that: ‘You’re on my radar now. It’s not a good place to be. And so let’s use this as a learning lesson.'”
He also is working on formulating a volunteer assistance program for senior citizens and would like to hear from community members who are interested in taking a leadership role in such an initiative.
For more information about the community service program, call Arnoni’s office at 412-835-1661 or email Michele.Orsini@mdjs.pacourts.us.