• The Center for Restorative Youth Justice is a nonprofit who works in partnership with the community to create meaningful accountability processes and restorative community connections as an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system.

    At CRYJ:
    • Justice resources are focused on those who have been harmed (vs. what law was broken)
    • Conversations with victims and community members allow youth to focus on what steps are needed to repair that harm (vs. inflicting punishment) allowing victims and youth to move forward
    • We believe that youth are valuable assets who represent the future of our community

    • About Us

    The Center for Restorative Youth Justice’s programs work one-on-one with youth and victims of juvenile crime in ways that promote true accountability, inspire connection, and increase community safety.

    CRYJ believes in justice and crime prevention which focuses on the people and communities harmed by crime as opposed to focusing on what laws were broken or what punishments have been imposed. Conversations with victims and community volunteers allow youth to focus on what steps are needed to repair that harm.

    Program Impacts

    The large majority of youth who come through CRYJ’s restorative programming are referred through juvenile probation.  Youth participants include Flathead County youth from a wide range of backgrounds and with a wide range of offenses.  CRYJ works primarily with first time offenders – providing important accountability and reflection opportunities that result in real change and true accountability.  For many, participation in CRYJ’s programming results in a dismissal of charges – providing first time offenders with an important opportunity to repair the harm caused as a result of their actions and to move forward in a positive way.

    In 2011 Juvenile Probation in Flathead County documented that 35% of youth charged with an offense committed another crime within one year.  The state average is even higher – suggesting that 46% of youth charged in the state commit another offense.  In contrast, CRYJ data from this same time period shows that youth who successfully complete CRYJ’s alternative accountability programming are significantly less likely to reoffend – in fact CRYJ’s documented recidivism rate for 2011 was 13%, less than half that of the state’s average.

    The CRYJ Team

    CRYJ has 7 staff, an amazing Board of Directors, and an incredible base of more than 30 community volunteers.  The work that we do would not be possible without the support and collaboration of the Eleventh Judicial District Youth Court Services, Montana Board of Crime Control, and the many individuals and partnering agencies within Flathead County.

    CRYJ Staff

    Shareen Springer– Director

    Shareen is the Executive Director of CRYJ. Having transitioned into this position from the Youth Connections Program, she brings a background in youth development and works to support staff and participants across all programs to create meaningful accountability programs that focus on meeting victim needs, competency development, service learning, self-reflection and community connections. Shareen holds a Masters Degree in Community Development and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon. She has worked with nonprofits and agencies across the globe to create meaningful opportunities for community engagement and social justice. She loves growing food, feeding friends, knitting hats, climbing mountains and spending time on front porches with her family.


    Diane Dwyer – VIP Coordinator

    Diane has lived in the Flathead Valley since 1978. Her Mental Health/Human Services degree has opened many doors for her. She has worked locally for NW MT Human Resources, Big Brothers and Sisters, Nurturing Center, Flathead Care, Violence Free Crisis Line, and in various settings within the public school system. (Evergreen, Marion, District 5 and the Flathead Cooperative) She has worked as a volunteer on several board committees, and is currently a volunteer for Special Friends Advocacy and Violence Free Crisis Line’s Children’s Program.


    Katie Boyd – CAB/VOC Program Coordinator

    Katie Boyd grew up in a picturesque mountain town in the Cascades and her love for the mountains has been with her since day one. Katie received her undergraduate degree in Society & Justice, and Sociology from the University of Washington before moving to the Flathead Valley. She has been enjoying all the Flathead has to offer, both in the outdoors and community life for the last 11 years. Katie received her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Montana in May 2011. This avenue of study has led her to CRYJ, first as a practicum student and presently as a Program Coordinator of three accountability programs and Volunteer Coordinator at CRYJ. Katie loves working with youth and volunteers through the CAB, VOC, and TIC programs. Additionally, the Restorative Justice philosophy enhances Katie’s passion of promoting social justice.


    Catherine Gunderson – DAAP Program Coordinator

    Catherine Gunderson has been with CRYJ since the fall of 2008. In addition to volunteer and community outreach she is the Program Coordinator for DAAP. Catherine has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Willamette University in Oregon and has always had a special interest in working with non-profits. Catherine lives with her husband and three children in Whitefish. When not at CRYJ, she loves to ski, raft, camp, travel and read.


    Anders Olson – Youth Connections Program Coordinator

    Originally from the “Mile High” state Colorado, Anders is the newest member of the CRYJ team joining the office in September of 2011. Anders has spent much of his growing professional career working in the non-profit sector with youth from all different backgrounds and experiences. As the Youth Mentor Anders strives to create projects that incorporate the interests and skills of the youth while serving the needs of the community. It is his belief that by creating interest based service projects youth will feel more deeply connected to the programs they participate in creating meaningful experiences. While studying History at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO Anders enjoyed hiking in the mountains, juggling in parades, and laughing with friends.


    Blake Sherman – Youth Connections Mentor

    Blake Sherman grew up in the Flathead Valley and spent his early adult years living in Los Angeles, NYC, and Brazil before returning to Montana. Since his return, Blake has been involved in various capacities of community development, education, and the creative arts. He is a recent graduate in Communication & Culture from the City University of New York. He is grateful to work with such a talented staff, and hopes while with CRYJ he can to bring creative vision to enhance person-potential. It is his belief to acknowledge what “is, but to also ponder, “what can be.” He believes the restorative method is a path to reach the best in a person and their role in the community. Blake also works Flathead High School, serves on the City Planning Board, volunteers with an NGO based out of Brazil, and founded the Flathead Dodgeball Association. He enjoys trailblazing in the woods, writing, graffiti art, designing murals, popcorn/movies (they are the same to him), and fly fishing in the summer.


    Katy Brooke – Office Manager

    Katy Brooke started at CRYJ in August of 2009, four short days after relocating to Kalispell from Oregon. Katy has six years of experience in office administration and is currently enrolled in distance learning classes through Montana State University to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. In addition to administrative duties at CRYJ and being a full-time student Katy is also a volunteer for the CAB program. When she has spare time, Katy loves to read, spend time with family and enjoy the great Montana outdoors!

    CRYJ Board of Directors

    CRYJ would like to express our deep appreciation for our dedicated board members.

    • Peter Nelson (Chair) – Pediatric Dentistry, Board member since 2002
    • Pam Carbonari (Vice-Chair) – Kalispell Business Improvement District Coordinator, Mayor of Kalispell (2002-2009), Founding Peer Court Member (1998) Board member since 1998
    • Jennifer Wheeler (Treasurer) – Glacier Bank, Vice President Commercial Loan Lender, CAB Volunteer, Board member since October, 2010
    • Pam Haglund (Secretary) - Job Services Workforce Consultant, Board member since 2010
    • Dave Bailon – DNS Technologies, VOC and CAB Volunteer, Board member since 2009
    • Thom Dunnhoff – Youth Court Services Juvenile Probation Officer, Board member since 2008
    • Kari Gabriel – Flathead CARE Director, Board member since 2009
    • Margaret LeKander – Wheaton’s Bicycles, Skates, and Hobbies, TIC Volunteer, Board member since 2010
    • Doug Scotti – Morrison & Frampton Attorneys at Law, Board member since 2008

    CRYJ Volunteers

    So much of our work relies on the generous service and support of our community volunteers.

    Community volunteers are our most powerful assets in addressing harmful behavior in effective, meaningful ways. Both youth and adult volunteers provide invaluable support to our programs and organization.

    CRYJ volunteers serve as program facilitators, mentors, office support and community service partners. Interested in volunteering, click here to learn more!

    CRYJ Partners

    CRYJ youth participants dedicate more than 2,500 hours of community service every year to the Flathead community.  We work with nonprofits organizations, agencies and individuals around the Flathead valley.

    Click here to learn more about our community partners and supporting agencies.

    Interested in partnering on community service projects? Contact us to learn more!