Restorative Justice

The UUCA has a commitment to social justice in our society. It is in response to this call for social responsibility in our own community that we are engaged in three areas of outreach to help heal societal injustice. The Restorative Justice Team is involved in multiple activities to implement this commitment. These programs include:

• Youth Energized by Agents of Hope (YEAH!)

• Prison Ministry

• Neighborhood Youth Panels (in cooperation with the MD Department of Juvenile Services-DJS)

YEAH! click here for flyer

Mission
To provide resources and after school activities
such as tutoring and mentoring in order to help,
support, monitor and give direction to children
and families in risk circumstances.

Vision
Anne Arundel County will be a model of faith
communities serving families in risk circumstances
through Yeah! After School Program

The Prison Ministry Team, working in conjunction with the Mindfulness Practice Group, provides a Stress Reduction program at the MD Correctional Institution-Jessup. This program teaches the practices of mindfulness and meditation with emphasis on the application of these practices to the daily lives of inmates with a particular focus on anger management. (Contact Art)

Neighborhood Youth Panels

UUCA provides direct support the mission of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to embrace, “a balanced and restorative justice philosophy. DJS seeks to ensure the public safety and protection of the community, to hold juvenile offenders accountable to victims and communities, and to develop youth competency and character to assist them in becoming responsible and productive members of society”. The DJS has established Neighborhood Youth Panels to implement a portion of their restorative justice mission to help at-risk-youths in our community. Members of the Restorative Justice Team will receive Restorative Justice training from the DJS on April 19, along with volunteers from our local faith-based community. [link to http://www.djs.state.md.us/volunteer_opps.html ] (Contact Art)