Incarcerated Youth
Recently, there has been a downward trend in teen arrests and incarcerations. On any given day, nearly 60,000 youth under age 18 are incarcerated in juvenile jails and prisons in the United States. The sad truth is that for many young people, a detention center may be the only place where they feel safe. This also is a place they have reliable meals, are sober, or are not facing constant trauma. In such a dark place, there are few things that shine brighter than the light of Christ. Adults will go into these facilities and share the love of Christ to youth. These youth may not know the Gospel can make all the difference in the world.
Youth For Christ’s (YFC, www.yfc.net) Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM) exists to create a faith-based continuity of care model geared toward fostering holistic connection and secure relationship with young people during any point of contact with the juvenile justice system. YFC’s strategy is to come alongside young people on their journey with Jesus while balancing the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of life. YFC leaders and volunteers build relationships that are sustained through ongoing involvement. This is done as young people navigate the different pillars encompassing the juvenile justice system.
Our Focal Point
“It breaks my heart to think about a juvenile justice facility without a ministry,” said YFC National Juvenile Justice Ministry Director Eric Kelly. “There are young people sitting in cells right now who can’t connect with a positive adult. They can’t get the encouragement and support they need, or who don’t have the opportunity to learn about the love of Christ.
“Our JJM programs are a way for us to get inside these facilities. However, programs aren’t our focal point. Our goal is a one-on-one relationship. We offer Christ-sharing relationship’s with young people that begins in the facility and follows them back out into the community. We know that this ministry is making a huge difference in the lives of these youth. In fact, we have staff people across the country who were former residents of a juvenile detention facility!”
Volunteers
The quality staff and volunteers are what makes YFC’s JJM so unique, according to Kelly.
“Our staff need to be great mobilizers,” said Kelly. “This ministry can’t happen without volunteers. Tens of thousands of teenagers hear the door slam and don’t connect it to anything positive like an adult who will listen to them, connect with them, and pray for them.”
