We’ve all made mistakes in our youth.
Some of those mistakes are bigger than others, even landing some young men and women on the wrong side of the law.
Thanks to the efforts of the volunteer Youth Justice Committee, those mistakes may not hold back kids who have made mistakes. But, the committee needs help.
At the annual general meeting on March 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the AV room of the Civic Centre the Committee will be looking for more volunteers to help. At the moment, there are six members.
The low membership at the moment has made the job of the Committee more challenging explains member Randy van Dyk.
“It’s hard to get three people together at the same time to schedule a meeting,” said van Dyk. “With more members you have more skills and different perspectives.”
“It’d be great if there were more people on the Committee. The program really helps the community,” said probation officer Kristi Donison. “It is a way to be a positive adult influence in these kid's lives, some of them don’t have one.”
The Committee started roughly one year ago. Similar programs are present throughout Alberta.
The Committee meets with youth who have been charged with a crime to find out the circumstances of the crime and determine a meaningful punishment.
The Committee does not determine innocence or guilt. The youth must have admitted their guilt.
“We sit with them and find out what happened, there’s always two sides to a story,” said van Dyk. “If they broke a window or vandalism, we might make them pay to clean things up.”
Should the youth comply, they slate is wiped clean and they do not have a criminal record to hold them back in work or travel.
“It’s a way to give the youth a chance so they won’t have a criminal record. If you end up getting a criminal record, that affects you for the rest of your life,” said van Dyk.
Of course, the youth involved has to put in the effort to be redeemed. Should they fail, the Committee sends them to the courts.
The Committee has been successful so far.
“We’ve had quite a few successful cases. Some of the kids are now working and they’re doing well,” said van Dyke. “It feels good.”
