Last week, the Juvenile Justice Project had the opportunity to talk with students at Belle Forest Community School and City University School. On Wednesday, we spoke to several 4th grade classes about the Juvenile Justice Project and other program areas of MSPJC. The students had very thoughtful questions on homelessness issues, community organizing, and how they could help make our city a better place for everyone. Thursday, we went to City University School for their service fair and met with teens interested in learning more about criminal justice reform and taking direct action around issues in their communities. Many were interested in volunteering with MSPJC over the summer. We have a lot of opportunities for canvassing, meeting with lawmakers, conducting Know Your Rights Theatre Workshops, and serving on the Youth Council. The JJP Youth Council is an exciting opportunity for students to come together and organize around issues directly affecting them. They will present these issues and initiatives for change to partners of the Juvenile Justice Project in order to coordinate targeted community service projects. We look forward to a busy summer!
This week, we are proud to be working with teens all over Memphis in preparation for National School Walkout Day. This Thursday, students across the nation will be walking out of school in solidarity with Parkland School students in Florida. Young people in our city are using this time to educate each other on criminal justice reform and other areas of activism so that they can come together to make lasting, systemic change in Memphis. We are so proud to have been invited to work with these motivated young people.
The JJP is working with Juvenile Court to build networks of churches and organizations to address our high number of youth with unserved court-ordered community service and the shortage places for them to complete those hours, specifically in the areas of Hickory Hill & Bartlett. Studies continue to show that punitive measures often lead to continued entanglement with the criminal justice system, as opposed to more rehabilitative & restorative opportunities. MSPJC is guided by the idea that those most affected by the issues facing our communities must be involved in developing solutions to these problems. We believe that youth are the solution–not the problem, so we work with them to find transformative opportunities to fulfill their hours in their own neighborhoods. Help us build a better Memphis and partner with our youth!
For more information or to become a JJP Service Site Partner, contact Faith Pollan, (901) 725.4990 or faith@midsouthpeace.org