Youth can be transformative leaders, addressing inequity in their communities and the factors that lead to youth involvement in the criminal legal system.
Youth Impact engages youth in New York City and Newark, N.J., to become transformative leaders. Members facilitate peer diversion programs, implement community projects, and take actions to address inequity in their communities and the factors that lead to youth involvement in the criminal legal system.
Youth Impact provides restorative, peer-facilitated diversion programming. As paid interns, members lead diversion programs, develop and pilot projects to promote community change, and take actions to address the underlying issues causing youth contact with the criminal legal system. Many members have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system, reflecting Youth Impact’s guiding philosophy that those who have been impacted are most able to lead, develop meaningful solutions, and engage their peers. Youth Impact offers individual support, mentorship, and educational opportunities to support members as they move towards their individual goals.
Youth Impact: Bronx is a youth leadership program that offers a restorative approach to issues that young people face. Volunteer members develop and pilot projects to promote community change, lead restorative circles for their peers, and take actions to address the underlying issues causing youth contact with the criminal legal system. Youth Impact offers individual support, mentorship, and educational opportunities to support members as they move towards their individual goals. Watch the video to hear from young people themselves what this program means to them and their community.
