Description
Youth & Family Connections is a non-profit, community-based service organization founded in 2005. We provide multi-agency services for Weld County youth engaged in high risk behavior and for their families. We create pathways for youth success, along with partnerships with community, civic, and governmental organizations.
In 2013, Weld County Restorative Justice (WCRJ), a Youth & Family Connections program, was developed to serve the 19 th Judicial District Attorney’s office Diversion program. Our programs use Restorative Practices and Principles with youth who have entered the criminal justice system
WCRJ Volunteers work with youth offenders in a restorative justice process to help them take responsibility, repair harm, and re-integrate back into their community. Volunteers act as a community representative or facilitator/co-facilitator in a group circle with other volunteers, the youth, a victim or victim surrogate, and family members. There are three stages of the restorative justice process at Weld County Restorative Justice: 1) pre-conference, 2) conference circle, and 3) re-integration meeting. Volunteers are assigned specific cases or circles by a restorative justice program coordinator (RESTORE, 21 or None, and Circle Conferences) and participate in each stage of the process for continuity purposes. Participation usually requires 2-8 hours per month of commitment. Most assignments are scheduled at the availability of volunteers, so flexibility is provided.
