Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County
PROGRAMS
Orange County Career Forum
CRF-OC’s Orange County Career Forum is an annual, half-day career exploration conference that connects high school students from throughout Orange County with professionals, employers, community leaders, and postsecondary educators. Hosted at Orange Coast College, the program introduces students to a broad range of career opportunities and helps them understand the education, training, skills, and experience required to pursue those careers. In 2026, the Career Forum served 876 students from 34 Orange County schools—a 9% increase in attendance over the prior year. Thirty-nine professional speakers led 23 workshops representing a diverse range of industries and occupations. Students participated in two workshops based on their interests, with offerings spanning health care, engineering, technology, law, public safety, business, financial services, architecture, filmmaking, fashion, education, construction, automotive technology, aviation, woodworking, entrepreneurship, music, content creation, and professional sports. The program intentionally presents both college and non-college career pathways, including community college programs, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, public service, and career and technical education. The Career Forum reaches a diverse student population reflective of Orange County. Among 2026 survey respondents, approximately 52% identified as Hispanic or Latino, 18% as Asian, and 10% as White, with additional students identifying as Black or African American, Native American, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, North African, or multiracial. Participation included students in grades 9 through 12, with nearly equal representation among male and female respondents as well as nonbinary students. Students also reported a wide range of postsecondary plans, including four-year college, community college, transfer programs, military service, and direct entry into the workforce. This diversity underscores the importance of offering multiple, accessible pathways to meaningful careers. Presenters share their personal educational and professional journeys, explain their day-to-day responsibilities, discuss the challenges and rewards of their work, and answer students’ questions. Many workshops incorporate hands-on or interactive experiences. For example, aviation participants used Orange Coast College’s flight simulator, while automotive technology students learned directly from instructors representing a career and technical education program. These experiences allow students to move beyond general descriptions of occupations and gain a more concrete understanding of what different careers involve.
Evaluation results demonstrate the program’s impact. CRF-OC received 764 student surveys, representing an 87% response rate. After their first workshop, 85% of responding students agreed or strongly agreed that the session increased their understanding of the career, 82% reported learning useful information, and 88% rated the workshop’s overall quality positively. Results from the second workshop were similarly strong: 83% reported increased understanding, 82% learned useful information, and 86% rated the overall quality positively. Presenter communication was a particular strength, receiving positive ratings from 91% of first-session respondents and 88% of second-session respondents.
When asked about the overall value of the Career Forum, 60% of surveyed students reported learning about career fields that were new to them, 55% gained a better understanding of the training required for a career, 41% became more interested in exploring careers, and 39% felt more motivated to think about their future career. Students also valued learning about both college and non-college pathways and having the opportunity to ask questions directly of working professionals.
The Career Forum is especially valuable for students who may have limited access to professional networks, career mentors, or firsthand exposure to a wide range of occupations. By bringing hundreds of students onto a college campus and connecting them directly with professionals from numerous fields, CRF-OC expands students’ awareness of available opportunities, helps them connect their education to future goals, and encourages them to envision careers they may not previously have considered. Students leave with greater knowledge of career pathways, a clearer understanding of the steps required to pursue their interests, and increased motivation to plan for their futures.
Law Day
Law Day Conference – This one-day conference offers workshops on topical Constitutional issues, such as “Should teens be tried as adults?” or “Safety vs. Privacy – security measures on campus.” Over 500 students are challenged to debate their rights and how these rights are associated with civic responsibility.
Orange County high school students become engaged in Constitutional and legal issues that affect their lives.
Constitution Day
Constitution Day – This outreach program reaches almost 2,000 students and complies with the U.S. Department of Education’s mandate that educational institutions accepting federal aid celebrate Constitution Day. Volunteer attorneys and judges visit classrooms throughout Orange County and present an interactive lesson related to the U.S. Constitution.
Students become engaged in relevant and important Constitutional issues and cases that have shaped society.
Mock Trial and Middle School Moot Court
Mock Trial – This program combines law-related education with tournament style competition. Using an actual settled criminal court case, over 800 students, representing 46 teams enact every role in a trial, under the guidance of attorney and teacher coaches. Students can also compete in courtroom art and journalism contests. Moot Court - Middle School students compete in an oral advocacy competition using fictitious federal case materials. The students conduct an oral argument in front of a judicial officer.
Hundreds of CRF-OC Mock Trial participants go on to successful careers as lawyers, legal professionals and other business leaders. In fact, two CRF-OC Board Members were Orange County Mock Trial participants and another of our attorney coaches was an Orange County Mock Trial participant. Several Mock Trial alumni have become state and federal judicial officers and others have achieved success in the legal and business communities.
Moot Court participants improve their analytical and oral presentation skills while learning about the federal court system.
Peer Court
Peer Court – This ongoing juvenile diversion program reduces criminal activity by first-time juvenile offenders who have committed non-violent misdemeanors. A sitting judge presides, attorneys act as advisors and students who have completed a training session are selected to serve as jurors to assess the case and assign sanctions to approximately 30 young offenders from high schools other than the Peer Court site. An interactive curriculum educates students about the juvenile justice system and helps them make responsible decisions.
With over 94% of participants completing their court-ordered sanctions within four months, CRF-OC's Peer Court Program reduces juvenile delinquency and helps prevent recidivism.
CONTACT
Constitutional Rights Foundation Orange County
4101 Westerly Place
Suite 101
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Marcy Garrett, Esq.
Phone: 949-679-0730