The Center for Restorative Youth Justice (CRYJ) works with youth across the Flathead Valley to provide meaningful accountability processes and restorative community connections as an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system. CRYJ works with youth offenders and with victims of juvenile crime in Flathead County – working to rebuild connection, trust, and community safety. “Beyond Repair: The CRYJ story” is a short film that tells the story of CRYJ from the youth’s perspective – stories of reflection, transformation, and the people and philosophies that make CRYJ’s restorative programming possible.

Please join CRYJ and the youth who directed and starred in this short film for a Red Carpet Premier on November, 15th. The red carpet will open at 6:30 in the KM Building Theater (2nd Floor) and festivities will run until 7:30pm. This event is free to the public.

CRYJ works with over 250 youth a year who are either currently involved, or are being actively diverted from, the traditional juvenile justice system. CRYJ’s programs are founded on the restorative justice philosophy – where justice resources are focused on determining who was harmed (vs. what law was broken), who is responsible (vs. placing blame), and what steps are needed to repair the harm (vs. inflicting punishment). CRYJ’s innovative programming results in reduced juvenile offense rates in our community. Without CRYJ programming, the likelihood that a youth will reoffend is about 33%. If a youth participates and completes a CRYJ restorative justice process the chances that they will reoffend is reduced to 13%. Attend the film premier on November 15th to learn more about CRYJ’s powerful programming, meet staff and agency partners, and celebrate the unveiling of a youth-made community film.