• 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.

    Our programs are founded on a restorative justice approach where:
    • 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
    • Staff work with youth to ‘reweave the fabric’ of relationships (community, family, peers) in ways that prevent further harm, inspire connection, and increase community safety and livability CRYJ’s programs foster dialogue between offenders and victims, create opportunities for true accountability, and reduce the likelihood that a youth will reoffend.

    • CRYJ Movie Night a huge success!

    Thanks to all of you who attended our CRYJ Movie Premier Night on November 15th. It was great see all our community partners and supporter and the movie was a big hit! Look for clips online soon.

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    Join Us For CRYJ Movie Night!

    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.

    Download the Invite: CRYJ Movie Invite 11.15.11

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    CRYJ “Trick-or-Treats” for the Food Bank

    If you were on the Eastside of Kalispell on the afternoon of October 25th, you might have seen a spectacular sight! Adult volunteers and CRYJ youth donned Halloween costumes and went door to door collecting food for the Food Bank. In less than two hours, we collected more than 400 pounds of food from generous residents. The average visitor to the Food Bank leaves with 12 pounds of food per visit. Our efforts supplied food for more than 35 needy families in the upcoming Holiday season. Special thanks to Montana Conservation Corps for collecting and delivering the food to the Food Bank at the end of the project.

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    CRYJ Races Through Kalispell History

    On October 8th, CRYJ Youth volunteered with the 2nd Annual 5K “A Run through History” presented by the Kalispell Downtown Association and the Business Improvement District. Volunteers helped with set up and cheered on racers as they sped through Woodland Park and historic downtown Kalispell.

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    Peace Day Mural

    In connection with Two Rivers Aikido and the celebration of International Peace Week, CRYJ youth participants designed and created a mural project to present reflections on peace and feelings of connection for the International Day of Peace (September 21st).

    This mural serves as a powerful reflection opportunity for youth – creating a space to discuss feelings of connection and to work to capture metaphors and images that speak to the ideals of peace. For CRYJ youth participants, this means exploring what it means to commemorate and strengthen peace within ourselves and in our communities.

    Restorative community service projects, such as this community mural project, are aimed at “reweaving the fabric” of the relationships (community, family, peers) in ways that prevent further harm and increase community safety by reconnecting youth to themselves and to our community through strength-based approaches that offer support and reflection.

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    CRYJ Open House and Upcoming Volunteer Trainings!

    Serve as a CRYJ Volunteer or Community Partner!

    The Center for Restorative Youth Justice (CRYJ) is seeking volunteers and community partners interested in supporting youth and increasing community connections in the Flathead Valley.

    Please join us September 21st from 6-7:30pm for an Open House to learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities, training dates, and opportunities to partner together on community service.

    The Open House will be held at the CRYJ office (224 1st Ave East, Kalispell MT).  Please feel free to pass information along to others who would like to learn more about the important work that we do and to play a role as a community volunteer!

     

    Interested in learning more?  Please join us for the open house on the 21st or contact Katie Boyd for more details.  Katie can be reached by contacting our office 406.257.7400 or by email: katie@restorativeyouthjustice.org

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    CRYJ On The Trail!

    Last weekend CRYJ youth participants and their fearless Youth Connections Leader Darryl made their way up to the Jewel Basin trail system. Huge thanks for the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, Montana Conservation Corps, and our incredible Leadership Flathead Mentors – Keagan Zoellner and Chip Weber for organizing the project.

    This project is one example of some of the restorative community service projects that CRYJ works to provide to youth participants and our Flathead Community.

    With school back in session, and the sadly inevitable end of a wonderful Montana summer, CRYJ is taking advantage of getting outside as much as possible before the snow flies!

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    CRYJ in the news!

    Check out the article in this week’s Flathead Beacon (July 27, pg 19!) about CRYJ’s participation in the Mosaic Mural Project. You can also view the article online:

    Youth Group Creates Public Art Project

     

     

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    Mosaic Mural Project

    CRYJ recently partnered with Natalie Norrell, a studio based Art Therapist, to create a series of small community murals exploring experiences and images relating to connection and community. These murals were designed and created by CRYJ youth participants and are currently on display outside of Natalie’s studio on 418 1st Ave West in downtown Kalispell. These murals served as powerful reflection opportunities for youth participants – creating a space to discuss feelings of connection and what it means to be a member of a healthy community. Rather than using words to explore, understand and heal; art therapy uses a creative process that focuses on imagery and the metaphor.

        

    CRYJ and Natalie hope to work together on several other youth mural projects around the community providing a collection of images based on self-reflection and community connection.

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    Summer Service

    There are many great opportunities to complete your service requirements before school starts! Check out the Calendar page for details and contact Darryl at darryl@restorativeyouthjustice.org or 257-7400 to sign up!

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