JAM Youth Services

Juvenile Advocacy & Mentorship

The Juvenile Advocacy and Mentorship (JAM) program is a comprehensive and innovative initiative aimed at providing support, guidance, and advocacy to justice-involved youth during their time in detention and after their release. The program is designed to empower and transform the lives of these young individuals by introducing them to the principles of Restorative and Transformative Justice, while also addressing their social-emotional needs and the impact on victims.

Rose city jam

Program Objectives

The JAM program has the following key objectives:

  1. Restorative/Transformative Justice: Introduce justice-involved youth to the principles and practices of Restorative and Transformative Justice, which focus on repairing harm caused by criminal behavior, promoting accountability, and facilitating personal growth and transformation.
  2. Social Emotional Support: Provide comprehensive social-emotional support to help youth develop healthy coping mechanisms, improve self-awareness, and build positive relationships, all of which are crucial for successful reintegration into society.
  3. Victim’s Impact Service: Foster empathy and understanding by offering opportunities for justice-involved youth to learn about the impact of their actions on victims and the community. This component aims to promote accountability, responsibility, and a genuine desire for positive change.
  4. Transition to Mentoring: Identify and select justice-involved youth who demonstrate potential for growth and transformation and offer them the opportunity to become JAM mentors themselves after their release. This transition phase helps foster leadership skills, responsibility, and a sense of purpose.

Program Components

Program Components

JAM program consists of several key components:

  1. Intake and Assessment: Upon entry into the program, each justice-involved youth undergoes a comprehensive intake and assessment process. This includes gathering information about their background, offense history, social-emotional needs, educational and vocational goals, and any other relevant factors.
  2. Restorative/Transformative Justice Workshops: Justice-involved youth participate in workshops that introduce them to the principles and practices of Restorative and Transformative Justice. These workshops focus on understanding the impact of their actions, taking responsibility, repairing harm, and developing strategies for personal growth and transformation.
  3. Individualized Case Management: Each youth is assigned a case manager who provides individualized support and guidance throughout their time in the program. The case manager helps develop a personalized plan that addresses the youth’s specific needs, goals, and challenges. They also connect the youth with appropriate resources and services, such as counseling, education, job training, and housing assistance.
  4. Group Counseling and Support: Justice-involved youth participate in group counseling sessions facilitated by trained professionals. These sessions provide a safe space for youth to share their experiences, express their emotions, and receive support from their peers. Group counseling helps develop positive social skills, builds empathy, and fosters a sense of community.
  5. Victim Impact Service: Justice-involved youth engage in activities that promote understanding and empathy towards victims of crime. This may include listening to victim impact statements, participating in victim-offender dialogues, or engaging in community service projects to directly benefit victims of crime. By engaging in these activities, justice-involved youth gain a deeper understanding of the impact their actions have had on others and develop a sense of responsibility for repairing the harm they have caused.
  6. Education and Vocational Training: JAM program recognizes the importance of education and vocational training in helping justice-involved youth build a successful future. Participants receive support in accessing educational opportunities, such as GED programs or vocational training, to enhance their skills and increase their chances of employment upon reentry into society.
  7. Mentorship and Peer Support: Justice-involved youth are paired with mentors who provide guidance, support, and positive role modeling. Mentors help youth set goals, navigate challenges, and make positive choices. Additionally, peer support groups are established to create a sense of community and provide a space for youth to share their experiences, learn from one another, and encourage each other’s personal growth.
  8. Reentry Planning and Aftercare: As justice-involved youth prepare to transition back into their communities, the JAM program assists them in developing a comprehensive reentry plan. This plan includes identifying stable housing, employment opportunities, continued education or vocational training, and ongoing support services. Aftercare services are also provided to ensure a smooth transition and to address any challenges or barriers that may arise after release.

Overall, the JAM program is designed to provide a holistic and comprehensive approach to support justice-involved youth in their personal growth, rehabilitation, and successful reintegration into society. It aims to address the root causes of their criminal behavior, promote accountability, and provide them with the necessary tools and support to make positive changes in their lives. By focusing on restorative justice, skill-building, education, mentorship, and reentry planning, the JAM program aims to break the cycle of criminal behavior and help justice-involved youth build a brighter future.