CHOOSE 180

Mission: Transforming systems of injustice and supporting young people who are too often impacted by these systems

We exist to transform oppressive systems that have caused harm and assist young people as they heal from hurt to wholeness. As a diverse team with lived experience, we are uniquely positioned to serve young people from a place of understanding and trauma-informed care.

We see young people as possibilities to be developed, not problems to be solved. When we all come together, we can change the narrative around young people, advocate for systems change, and create a future where resources are invested into communities and all young people have the opportunity to thrive.

History

CHOOSE 180 began in 2011 as a community-centered effort in partnership with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to impact racial disproportionality, keep youth out of the juvenile criminal legal system, and break the school-to-prison pipeline. Recognizing that the criminal legal system was not the most effective tool in addressing complex social issues, then King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg reached out to community leader Doug Wheeler Jr. to partner in creating an alternative to traditional prosecution.

Doug Wheeler Jr. convened a group of community leaders to create a program called the 180 Program, which later turned into CHOOSE 180 in 2017. Because of this partnership and the community of support, approximately several hundred young people per year are served in community where they can grow and thrive.