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
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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Working to rehab the trail head bathroom – Thanks Erin from Montana Conservation Corps for helping to lead the activities for the day!
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Taking a quick break
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Not a bad view for community service…
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CRYJ’s Youth Connections Coordinator Darryl Kistler representing on the trail
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
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.
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!
The July calendar is up nice and early with some great summer service opportunities including Stand Up Dig In (Community Garden), Glacier Challenge, and a Mosaic Mural Project. Check out the new Calendar and contact us to sign up!
In recognition of National Crime Victims Rights Awareness Week (April 10th – April 16th 2011) CRYJ’s Youth Connections Program created several reflective art activities that allowed youth to explore the impacts of victimization and share observations and reflections through an art display. Youth were encouraged to think of their own experiences with victimization – and then to consider images and words associated with that experience. Youth were then given a copy of actual (although anonymous) Victim Statements obtained through CRYJ’s Victim Impact Program, and asked to find statements or quotes that stood out to them.
A technique called an acrylic photo transfer process was used to transfer youth-selected images and quotes onto a poster background. Each piece uses victim quotes, images, and youth reflections to bring awareness to the real impacts of victimization – specifically surrounding youth crime. At the end of the activity – youth were asked to write a quick reflection on the activity. The art display was hung inside Colters Coffee as part of a display centered on CRYJ’s Victim Impact Program.
The pieces, and youth reflections on the activity, are now featured in the CRYJ front room.
On April 16th – more than 60 youth from around the valley joined CRYJ and Nourish the Flathead at the FVCC-Nourish Community garden for Global Youth Service Day. Youth participated in service activities, including:
~ Hand pressing apple cider with locally grown honey crisp apples
~ Making of several new community plot areas where food will be grown and harvest by CRYJ youth participants for donation to the Flathead Food Bank
~ Creating garden banners and murals for the community garden
In partnership with Montana Academy, Montana Conservation Corps, Flathead Youth Home, and Sinnopah House – this Global Youth Service Day was an opportunity for youth from a variety of backgrounds to come together to make a difference in their community.
The May Youth Connections calendar is available on the Calendar page. Check out the outdoor opportunities in partnership with Montana Conservation Corps this month!
April 16th is Global Youth Service Day! Join CRYJ, in partnership with Nourish the Flathead, Montana Academy, & Montana Conservation Corps, for the annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes millions of youth across the country to improve their communities through hands-on service and service-learning.
WHAT: This event is an opportunity to come together to make a positive and powerful change in your community. Join other students from across the valley to help open the community garden on campus at Flathead Valley Community College!
Build a garden, Paint a mural, Press apple cider
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY!
WHEN: JOIN US FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. ON APRIL 16th
WHO: Jr. high, high school and college age students – youth groups, school groups, friends and families!
Please RSVP to Shareen (shareen@restorativeyouthjustice.org) with the total number for your group!
Adult volunteers are also welcome! Please get in touch with Shareen to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
WHAT TO BRING: Come ready to dig in some dirt! Please bring/wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and rain gear.
WHERE: Flathead Valley Community College – at the community garden site behind the FVCC Arts and Technology building. Address: 777 Grandview Dr, Kalispell, MT.
