A few weeks ago, Rebecca Arnold, a member of Local 776 in Harrisburg, Pa., received an e-mail. It was from someone she recognized, someone she had helped.

The sender, a 22-year-old woman, indicated she was doing well. The sender had recently graduated from a local community college and was on her way to a earning a degree from a four-year university.

It’s a far cry from where the young woman had started, when she and Arnold first met.

That’s because Arnold is a juvenile probation officer, tasked with guiding and mentoring troubled youth as they make their way through the court system, school and life. Those she is responsible for have been convicted of a misdemeanor or higher offense and are between the ages of 10 and 18.

It is because of her hard work and determination that Arnold was recently recognized as the Juvenile Probation Officer of the Year. The award is given to a deserving officer each year by the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission, a panel of chiefs and judges who are tasked with reviewing award applicants.

This year, nearly 1,000 officers were recommended for the prestigious honor.

“I was very surprised and happy when I learned I had earned the award,” Arnold said. “I work hard, I strive to do the best job that I possibly can every day, so the award was recognition for my efforts.”

Labor of Love

Arnold’s job is to ensure those she works with become contributing members of society. Her efforts truly are a labor of love.

Arnold works irregular shifts and partners with parents, counselors, therapists and anyone else who might come in contact with the children in her program to ensure they succeed. Mostly, though, Arnold focuses her attention on those who need it most: the kids in her program.

“I make sure every kid is in school on time and where they are supposed to be. I’m in their house looking at their room, making sure they keep it clean. I monitor grades and discipline,” Arnold said.

She even does shoulder-to-shoulder community work with the students she’s responsible for. This sometimes includes picking up trash after a community event or helping care for horses at a local farm that relies on volunteer work.

“I’m right there scooping manure with the kids in the program,” Arnold said. “That’s got to be the least glamorous part of my job.”

Though Arnold fits her role as a juvenile probation officer well, she never intended to go into the profession. It was only by accident—or perhaps fate—that she is now helping to change the lives of young people.

Arnold knew she wanted to work with children, so she studied sociology and psychology while in college. It was while she was working in the mental health field that someone suggested to Arnold she should apply to be a juvenile probation officer. 

“I ended up loving this job from the first day I started,” Arnold said. “You can really make a change in this profession. As juvenile probation officers, we’re in the middle of it and we’re trying to help kids and families.”

Though the benefits outweigh the consequences, Arnold’s line of work can pose risks. That’s why she’s happy to have strong Teamster representation. The Teamsters, Arnold said, provide a sense of stability in an environment that can sometimes be volatile.

“To do this job, I’m dealing with a lot of different people and there are sometimes safety issues. It’s nice to know that someone has my back,” Arnold said. “If there’s an incident, I know the Teamsters will be there to represent me and fight for me.”

Success Stories

In the 10 years she’s held her job, Arnold has had many success stories. Students she’s helped have gone on to further their education, raise families, and live lives that are productive and fulfilling.

Most of the students she helps move on completely but some, including the woman who recently e-mailed Arnold, stay in touch for a very long time. Knowing how she has helped people gives Arnold the inspiration she needs to continue helping more.

“It feels great to know that I helped get a kid back on track and maybe helped them avert some serious drug or alcohol problem,” Arnold said. “I feel like one way or another, I helped change a life. That’s something that’s difficult to put into words.”