New Juvenile Hearing Board Member Appointed

At a brief cerermony at on Nov. 9, Mayor Joseph M. Polisena administered the oath of office to Richard DelFino III, of Simmonsville Avenue, to the Johnston-Smithfield Juvenile Hearing Board.

Polisena said DelFino, a 2009 graduate of Providence College, is an example of the kind of candidates the town needs for local boards and commissions.

"We need the younger people to get involved [because they] have newer ideas, and sometimes better ideas," Polisena said. "It's very difficult to get people to volunteer, so we really appreciate that [he] is stepping up to the plate."

A longtime coordinator for the , DelFino has coached rec department and St. Rocco School teams; served as an official for the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and Catholic School League; and currently serves as Advancement Officer for his high school alma mater, Bishop Hendricken High School.

In an interview after the swearing-in ceremony, DelFino spoke about how he was chosen for the post.

"Tri-Town (Community Action Agency) contacted me that there was a vacancy available, and upon approval of the town council and the mayor — who was a big advocate for me to be on this board — I was able to volunteer my time to take it," said DelFino, a Johnston native.

Established by Rhode Island Public Law 97-012, the Johnston-Smithfield board is an alternative to Family Court hearings for first-time youth offenders. According to the Tri-Town website, the board has "a case management focus, to divert juvenile offenders from a second offense while identifying problems affecting their behavior, such as truancy, disobedience, and delinquency."

DelFino also described his philosphy in serving on the board.

"I believe the most important message for kids is that I believe in 2nd chances — they make mistakes, and they have to understand that they made a mistake, but this [board's work] has to meaningful. There's ways they can get involved in the community — I think that's the important thing," DelFino explained. "The point of this hearing board is to send them back into the community to better the community — we don't want the same mistakes recurring."