Michigan Center for Youth Justice

Join us for a robust discussion in November in honor of Restorative Justice Month! On November 7th, from 10 am to 12 pm EST, MCYJ will host a free virtual event, Redefining Accountability. This panel discussion will include two expert practitioners from West and Southeast Michigan Dispute Resolution Centers, the Transformative Healing & Restorative Justice Manager for the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth, and two young adults who have worked together to repair harm through a restorative justice process in Philadelphia.

For far too long, families have been burdened with excessive fees tied to the juvenile justice system—fees that are not restitution for victims, but costs for mandatory programs and facilities they had no choice in selecting. Imagine a parent owing $100,000 for their child’s court-ordered placement, with no way to say ‘no’ or seek alternatives. Thanks to reforms passed last December, most of these fees have been eliminated, bringing long-overdue relief to families across our state. It’s a step in the right direction, but there’s more work to be done to ensure fairness and justice for all. Let’s keep pushing for change that uplifts communities and empowers families. See the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gZJXBfrT Good job as always to our host Bilal Al-Raed for the amazing interview with Jason Smith from the Michigan Center for Youth Justice.

Join us next month virtually or in person for our annual Cards and Community event, where we’ll be writing holiday cards for young people spending the holiday season in detention or residential facilities—a small act that makes a big difference. Mark your calendars and help us spread the warmth of the season! RSVP today at https://lnkd.in/g-t8zhhy

We are incredibly proud of our Policy Director, Jennifer P., and will continue advocating for a more fair and equitable justice system for Michigan's young people and their families. #YouthJustice #Michigan

We invite you to read a thoughtful op-ed co-authored by Judge Karen Braxton of Wayne County and Judge Amanda Pollard of Eaton County. Both judges discuss the transformative impact of the Justice for Kids and Communities legislative package, which went into effect on October 1, 2024. The op-ed dives into key aspects of Michigan's juvenile justice reforms and the work being done in Eaton and Wayne counties to prioritize rehabilitation and community-based care for youth. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/dfcfc9S4

We are honored to have our Executive Director, Jason Smith, featured on the Season 2 premiere of The Delta Project Nonprofit podcast. We invite you to tune into their captivating conversation at the link below. This is an episode you do not want to miss! #YouthJustice #Reform #Michigan

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for Redefining Accountability! It was a powerful conversation with local restorative justice practitioners, a national expert, and young adults sharing their stories. If you missed it, don’t worry! You can watch the full event on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/gW_yjW3Q Let’s continue redefining accountability together! Belinda Dulin Christine Gilman Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

Are you voting today? Justice is local and voting matters. By getting local candidates to talk about youth justice as part of their platforms—we can hold them accountable for a more fair and effective justice system. It's not too late! Polls are open until 8pm, get out and vote for youth justice! #YouthJustice #Michigan

We’re proud to celebrate our Outreach and Advocacy Manager, Denita Dorsey's, first work-iversary with MCYJ! With her deep commitment to justice and community, Denita works to amplify the voices of young people across our state. Whether she’s focused on community engagement efforts or supporting our Voices of Youth Justice fellowship program, her dedication makes a lasting impact. Join us in celebrating Denita’s passion for creating real change in the youth justice system!

Last September, we partnered with Gryphon Place and the Campaign For Criminal Justice and Transparency - CCJT to host the Kalamazoo Youth Justice Summit. Thank you to everyone who attended the event, and for your collective effort in continuing to advocate for justice-impacted young people in Kalamazoo! #YouthJustice #Michigan