What is our mission?

Project OpenDoor’s goal is to empower teens who have been involved with the juvenile justice system and the people who care for them to become active partners in research. We believe that by participating in partnership-based research, these individuals can make a positive impact on families within the juvenile justice system and contribute to advancing knowledge in their communities, helping to address important needs and make a real difference.

To achieve this goal, our website offers trainings for teens, guardians, and probation officers to become knowledgeable advisory council members in the research process. Through these trainings, teens, guardians, and probation officers (or other probation personnel) will learn about their roles as research partners and how to effectively collaborate with researchers.

In developing this website and its training materials, we worked with teens involved in the juvenile justice system, their guardians, and probation officers. This was done to ensure that the content is relevant and meaningful to those who will use it, and to include all perspectives and voices in the development process.

Upon completion of the trainings, you will have the knowledge and skills needed to participate in research as an informed and active advisory council member or research participant.