The Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM) connects trained adults with young people, through institutional, juvenile justice, or social service agency contacts, to help youth make good choices and establish a solid foundation in life. Like every ministry of YFC, JJM seeks to engage these young people, wherever they are found, as life-long followers of Jesus Christ.
It is estimated that 25% of our young people today are deemed “at-risk youth,” according to the National Research Council Panel on High-Risk Youth (1995). The National JJM Department has defined "at-risk youth" as a young person who has experienced significant damage and is likely to damage the lives of others. A “significantly damaged life” is defined as the presence of negative influences (or the absence of positive influences) that increase the likelihood of destructive life choices.
It is estimated that 25% of our young people today are deemed “at-risk youth,” according to the National Research Council Panel on High-Risk Youth (1995). The National JJM Department has defined "at-risk youth" as a young person who has experienced significant damage and is likely to damage the lives of others. A “significantly damaged life” is defined as the presence of negative influences (or the absence of positive influences) that increase the likelihood of destructive life choices.
Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home
Every week Youth for Christ is at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home ministering to the young men and young ladies who are there. The Juvenile Home’s capacity is 64 residents, ages 11-16. They are sentenced by the Court to be there anywhere from one week to eight months.
We reach out to the young people with the love and hope of Jesus Christ through Chapel services twice a week (Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings), small group Bible studies, as well as playing games and building relationships.
We reach out to the young people with the love and hope of Jesus Christ through Chapel services twice a week (Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings), small group Bible studies, as well as playing games and building relationships.
The Ark
The Ark is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week emergency and crisis intervention center for youth who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships with their families. It is operated by Catholic Charities, and provides outreach counseling to youth and their families, including education, assessments and referrals to help resolve family problems.
Our YFC staff meets with the teens at The Ark twice each week to bring them the hope of God’s amazing love. Many of them are feeling hopeless because of what they are going through. We introduce them to the story of Jesus and all that He has done for them. We give away a lot of Bibles as these youth become interested in learning more of God’s word.
For more information about The Ark Services, please click here.
Our YFC staff meets with the teens at The Ark twice each week to bring them the hope of God’s amazing love. Many of them are feeling hopeless because of what they are going through. We introduce them to the story of Jesus and all that He has done for them. We give away a lot of Bibles as these youth become interested in learning more of God’s word.
For more information about The Ark Services, please click here.
Learn more about YFC Juvenile Justice Ministries below.