YOUTH-LED JUSTICE

What we do

Youth-LED Justice (previously called Maine Youth Court) is a youth-led restorative justice program that works with young people who are in trouble with the law, school or community to be diverted and supported. We work with youth volunteers to help facilitate a circle process that brings affected parties together for healing and repair.

To learn more, visit the "our work" section above or click here!

Vision Statement

We envision a community where all youth are valued, supported, and empowered. We envision youth belonging to a resilient community that equitably navigates conflict so all can heal, grow, and connect.

Land Acknowledgement

We are in the homeland of the Wabanaki, the People of the Dawn. We extend our respect and gratitude to the many Indigenous people and their ancestors whose rich histories and vibrant communities include the Abenaki, Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot Nations and all of the Native communities who have lived here for thousands of generations and continue to do so today in what is known today as Maine, New England, and the Canadian Maritimes. We make this acknowledgment aware of continual violations of people, water, territorial rights, and sacred sites in the Wabanaki homeland. We also acknowledge the uncomfortable truths of settler colonialism, among them that the peoples indigenous to this place were forcibly removed from their homelands. We recognize that this land acknowledgment is one small step and we commit to uplifting the voices, experiences, and histories of the Indigenous people of this land and beyond.

Youth-LED Justice is a member of the Wabanaki Alliance Coalition.
Please learn more about how to support the sovereignty of the Wabanaki people by visiting their website.
As a small act of acknowledgment that we occupy the homelands of the Wabanaki, we offer a monthly donation to Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness. To learn more about their work, visit their website.

Palestinian flag with red triangle and black, white, green horizontal stripes.

At Youth Led Justice (YLJ) we are a diverse community of restorative justice practitioners. Some of us are BIPOC, some white, some Muslim, some Jewish, some of us are from MENA ancestry and all of us are united against hate. YLJ is grieving for all the lives lost in the violence in Palestine and Israel. We will not let our grief and pain be weaponized. We acknowledge the 75 years of occupation of Palestinian people and their lands. We say no to the genocide. We support an immediate ceasefire and active de-escalation of violence. We ask that the sanctions be lifted so that Palestinians in Gaza have access to water, food, freedom of movement, and humanitarian aid.

We ask those in power to stand for justice and not fuel war or continued colonization through retribution, violent inaccurate rhetoric, or supplying additional weapons toward the conflict.

As restorative justice practitioners we know the only way to end violence is to step out of the cycle.

Please do all in your power to do so.

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BLACK LIVES MATTER!
Statement from Youth-LED Justice Staff

BLACK LIVES MATTER!

Youth-LED Justice condemns anti-Black violence by police and justice systems.

We support and celebrate youth who are showing up in the face of anti-Black injustices in whatever ways they need to — be it through outrage or protesting, caring for themselves and their loved ones, or grieving and healing.

In a restorative process, we ask, “What needs to be done to repair the harm?” We urge our supporters, volunteers, and community partners to always listen to Black youth and support their visions, their wants, and their needs. With youth leadership and direction, our staff recommit to taking meaningful action to disrupt the pervasiveness and perpetuation of racial oppression and injustice both in our organization and in our communities. We hope our supporters and collaborators do the same.

In solidarity, we choose to not be silent and instead will work to actively participate in meaningful change.