Why YJI?

YJI provides services anchored in love to create a sense of belonging. We ensure families have equitable access to and feel appreciated in our spaces. All services encourage positive changes in youths’ attitudes toward family, community, academics, and crime.

Diversion programming (6+ months) allows youth to learn the impacts of their behaviors on others and helps them put things as right as possible without having a criminal record. YJI has the lowest recidivism rate for diversion programs in Polk County.

Since 2018, YJI has expanded our mission to include prevention services, and more and more youth are seeking support from our community initiative each year. Program participation has more than doubled since COVID-19, and we anticipate this to continue.

Read our Testimonials!

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“I am very impressed with the thoughtful and deliberate way in which program development was carried out. The program has worked carefully to involve the community and to reach out to victim groups. It has developed a working relationship with the local criminal justice system as well. I have been involved with the development of dozens of restorative justice programs not only in the U.S. but in countries such as South Africa and the United Kingdom; I must say that this one stands out for its careful development, its principled approach, its responsiveness to community needs, and its deliberate effort to involve a wide range of community members.”
– Howard Zehr, Co-director of Zehr Institute, “Grandfather of Restorative Justice.”

YJI’s quarterly Advisory Group meeting – August 8, 2023