The following questions and responses are specifically for youth who have been referred to our program and their guardian(s).
For information on how to make a referral to our program, visit our Make a Referral page.
For information on volunteer opportunities with Youth-Led Justice visit our Volunteers page.
I've been referred to YOUTH-LED JUSTICE, what's next?
- A staff member gets in touch to schedule an intake meeting with you and your guardian(s). The intake meeting is so that you can learn about the program and make a plan for your restorative circle (including who will be there, when will it take place, and so on). During the intake, the staff member discusses the reason for referral with you (along with your needs and goals), completes paperwork, does a a brief screening with you (AC-OK), and answers any questions you have.
- With your permission, the staff member contacts the the people who will be at your restorative circle to inform them about the process and discuss their hopes and needs. The staff member (and/or your youth advocate, when applicable) may also meet with you 1-on-1 to help you prepare for the restorative circle.
- The restorative circle takes place and results in a Restorative Plan, which you work to complete in the following weeks (up to 3 months).
- The staff member sends the referral source an update and a copy of your Restorative Plan. They will update the referral source about your progress on a monthly basis until you complete the program.
What are the goals of the program?
The purpose of the Youth-LED Justice is to both divert youth respondents* away from more punitive outcomes and ensure they are adequately supported to be able to:
1) Repair harm done to relationships
2) Increase their skills, knowledge, and resources
3) Increase their connection in the community
4) Build on and build up their strengths
1) Repair harm done to relationships
2) Increase their skills, knowledge, and resources
3) Increase their connection in the community
4) Build on and build up their strengths
What is A restorative circle?
The restorative circle is the core meeting of the Youth-LED Justice program for the youth respondent. The circle is an approach to restorative justice and is an opportunity for the respondent* to demonstrate accountability and receive support. It's when the youth respondent, victim(s)/person(s) most impacted, guardian(s), community members, and other supportive peers or adults meet together in a circle, have a conversation about what happened, and together make a plan for moving forward. Trained youth volunteers (and sometimes YLJ staff) will facilitate the conversation, and participants may be accompanied by a volunteer advocate who supports them throughout the circle.
The facilitators use the Restorative Questions to help structure and guide the conversation. The participants take turns answering the following questions (or similar):
The circle is not about determining guilt or innocence, passing judgement, or punishing. Our hope is that each person attending the circle reflects on the factors that contributed to the situation, how to address harm that occurred, and how to move forward in a way that is supportive to all involved.
The facilitators use the Restorative Questions to help structure and guide the conversation. The participants take turns answering the following questions (or similar):
- From your perspective, what happened?
- What were you thinking and feeling at the time?
- What have you been thinking or feeling since?
- Who was impacted by what happened, and how? What's been the hardest part of this for you?
- What are some of the respondent's strengths, interests, talents, and things they care about?
- What needs to be done to repair the harm and/or move forward?
The circle is not about determining guilt or innocence, passing judgement, or punishing. Our hope is that each person attending the circle reflects on the factors that contributed to the situation, how to address harm that occurred, and how to move forward in a way that is supportive to all involved.
What is The restorative plan?
The Restorative Plan is a contract of action items that the respondent* does to repair harm, strengthen relationships, build their knowledge and skills, and work towards their goals. The Restorative Plan is created collaboratively during the restorative circle by all participants. Common Restorative Plan items include letters of acknowledgement, pro-social activities, connection with supportive peers or adults, and referrals to clinical or other supportive services.
What happens if A YOUTH DOES NOT SUCCESSFULLY complete the program?
If the youth respondent* does not participate in the Restorative Process and satisfactorily complete their Restorative Plan, the case will be returned to the referring source for further action.
Can a respondent volunteer WITH YOUTH-LED JUSTICE?
YES! Former respondents* can become volunteers if they are in the geographical jurisdiction of Youth-LED Justice, are in high school, have completed the program, and are willing to complete YLJ's volunteer training. We believe that former respondents are all-the-more experienced and qualified to serve as volunteers in our program.
What meetings does the program require?
- Intake meeting (approximately 1 hour)
- The staff member and/or youth advocate may meet with you 1-on-1 to get to know you better and to help you prepare for the restorative circle (varies, 15 minutes to 1 hour)
- The Restorative Circle (typically 2 hours)
- The staff member checks in with you every month while you're working on your Restorative Plan (2 meetings minimum, approximately 15-30 minutes each)
- Once you successfully complete your Restorative Plan, you meet with a staff member for a completion meeting (approximately 30 minutes)