From Youth Service Bureau

At the Youth Service Burea (YSB), community justice counselors work with more than 650 first time youth offenders each year through the Community Justice Program.

The program is based on the principles of restorative justice, which call for involving the victim, offender and community together in helping the offender understand what happened, make amends, and realize that he or she is an important part of the community.

Young people are referred to the YSB for an array of offenses, including theft, chemical abuse, disorderly conduct and vandalism.

In 2003, the number of program participants increased by 7 percent over the previous year. The programís success rates are high, with 91 percent of referred youth increasing school attendance, 88 percent showing an increase in positive decision making skills and 88 percent having no further involvement in the juvenile justice system.

One young person referred to the YSB for possession of tobacco learned a powerful lesson. Crediting the message from a YSB sponsored speaker, this youth kicked her tobacco habit for good.

Betty, the volunteer, speaks to young people about smoking and the effects of using tobacco. She talks through a tube in her throat, the result of a laryngectomy after years of smoking damaged her throat and voice box. She talks slowly and often has to pause to catch her breath. The kids listen without making a sound.

One youth was so struck by Betty that she made a decision to change her life and wrote the following letter:
ìDear Betty, School is going great and so are my goals. Since the morning after the program I have been smoke-free! I want to give a huge thanks to you. Because of you I look at smoking an entirely different way. I got caught smoking and was sent to the Youth Service Bureau, but I am thankful now that I was sent because if I wasnít, I wouldnít have met you.î

The letter continues on about the daily discussions she and her mother have about not smoking and how hard it was at first to say no to offers of cigarettes. But as each day passed, it got easier as the young girl thought of Betty and her struggles with smoking. The third week in November each year is observed in many countries as Restorative Justice Week.

This tradition began in 1975 in England. It started out as a day of remembrance for prisoners. As time and rehabilitation programs evolved, this week is now a time set aside to reflect growing concern for victims and communities, as well as offenders.

Restorative justice in general is based on active offender-victim involvement where both parties agree to meet and discuss their differences in order to find a solution that that meets the needs of the victim and helps the offender to mend any hurt caused by the offense.
As a result, both parties gain a sense of closure and the offender is given a chance to help make things right.

The goal of restorative justice is to prevent repeat offenses and strengthen community involvement when an offense takes place.
Youth Service Bureau (YSB) is a non-profit organization, serving residents of Chisago, portions of Washington and Anoka counties.
For more information, go to www.ysblakesarea.org.

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