Albert Einstein once said, “All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded to the individual.”
When a child is born our dreams and hopes take wing. We begin paving a path of opportunity for this child to thrive and grow. When this child begins walking, we expect there will be tumbles and we help, encouraging and praising the effort despite the fall.
Until the day they fall in a different way. When our children fall because of their choices, ones that carry serious consequences, what do we do? What does the community do when a child falls by the choice to vape or steal?
At YouthZone, the
Restorative Justice
process helps youth learn and grow from the mistakes they have made. The youth takes responsibility for what they did after they engage with the victim who tells them the impact of the action. They recognize how their choice also harmed themselves. It ends with a contract to mend the harm done. It is an opportunity to support healing for the victims and offer a path forward for the offending youth.
The
Restorative Justice
process is anything but the easy way out of trouble. Rather than having an authority figure hand down a punishment, the youth must have the strength of self to admit and own the mistake made and then to have the courage and compassion to do something about it.
YouthZone has been offering
Restorative Justice
practices since 1993. In the last two years, the number of successful
Restorative Justice
Circles has more than doubled, going from 27 to over 80. These circles happen from Parachute to Aspen and are possible because of the support of the many people who volunteer their time, voice and skill by sitting in and facilitating circles.
Please join us on April 17 from 4 to 6 p.m.
for a
Restorative Justice Celebration
.
We will recognize the community members whose volunteer time has been immense and invaluable, share the current RJ program, celebrate its history and look towards the future, and have information for those who would like to volunteer.
For more information, call Karen Barbee or Ashley Atencio at 970-945-9300.