Meet Janae Artis
The first time I met Janae, I thought she was a college student. To this day, I still have to remind myself that she is only in high school. Her maturity and insight extend well beyond her age. I met Janae last August at the United Way Volunteer Fair. She came to our booth, like several others that day, asking what the CSS Restorative Justice Program did, trying to determine if it might be an organization in which she would be interested in volunteering
As we talked about restorative justice, our conversation quickly shifted from surface to serious. Janae asked questions that went well beyond the scope of superficial curiosity. I found myself rapt in a discourse with a young woman who was obviously a thinker. Very shortly after that, Janae became a volunteer with the CSS Restorative Justice Program. Maybe volunteer isn’t quite the right word. Maybe a better word is advocate. As you will see from her interview, Janae isn’t just a restorative justice volunteer; she’s a strong proponent of what she calls “transformative justice.”
Barbara: Janae, tell me a little about yourself. Where do you go to school? What grade are you in?
Janae: I currently attend Wayne Early Middle College High School, and I’m in the 12th grade.
Barbara: A lot of people, like myself, are transplant to Wayne County. Where are you from?
Janae: I’m from Goldsboro.
Barbara: You’re a senior. What do you plan to do after graduating from high school?
Janae: I plan to attend Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York in fall of 2022, where I’ll major in vocal performance.
Barbara: So, how long have you been volunteering with the CSS Restorative Justice Program?
Janae: It’s been four months. I found out about the CSS Restorative Justice Program at a volunteer fair held at the Maxwell Center back in August 2021.
Barbara: What made you decide to volunteer with the Restorative Justice Program?
Janae: I decided to volunteer with the CSS Restorative Justice Program because I became interested in how our justice systems work. I also wanted to know what steps were being taken towards mending the community in my local area. The only way for me-to witness change is to be involved in change.
Barbara: What have you learned about restorative justice since volunteering with the RJ program?
Janae: I’ve learned what transformative justice can provide to communities plagued by
citizen friction. I have realized firsthand that we have been socialized to believe that ------ every dispute has to go to the retributive justice system, and this is definitely not the case. We, as a community, have to take pride in our own community. We have to nourish and protect our community as well, and if we never take the necessary steps to heal ourselves, then we can never expect the system to implant that attention in their proceedings.
Barbara: What has been your most satisfying experience since you began volunteering?
Janae: My most satisfying experience has been witnessing children who are very outspoken and passionate use their voice. It continues to reinforce what an important role youth-to-youth guidance has in the persistent growth of our frame of mind, and it’s reinforced the pride that I have in my generation.
Barbara: Would you encourage other youth to get involved with the Restorative Justice Program?
Janae: I have and will continue to encourage other youth to volunteer with the Restorative Justice Program to be a changing force within your own community, but it will empower you to implement healthy ideology into your daily life.
Barbara: What qualities do you think are necessary to be a restorative justice volunteer?
Janae: There are many qualities that are advantageous to the role of a volunteer at the
Restorative Justice Program, but some necessary qualities are having an open mind, being receptive to healthy dialogue, and to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. If you aren’t coming to learn, and teach, then this experience will never fulfill its potential of personal fulfillment.
Barbara: Janae, thank you so much for all that you do for the Restorative Justice Program.
Janae: I enjoy volunteering for the RJ Program.
