Justice Resource Institute, Inc.

Program Overview and Background

The Justice Resource Institute SMART Team Trauma–Informed Mentoring Program works in partnership with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office (SCDAO) and The Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS). The program provides trauma–informed mentoring services to youth who have become involved in the juvenile justice system in the Greater Boston area. Therapeutic Mentors work one–to–one in natural settings delivering strength–based, individualized support to assist youth in dealing with daily social and emotional challenges.

Program Services

While engaging youth, our Therapeutic Mentors will provide trauma–informed, strengths–based and resiliency building activities that will support social and recreational engagement and develope and conduct maintenance of friendships all while maintaining personal boundaries. Our mentors offer mentees stress management, relaxation, and mindfulness skills as well as daily living skills, transitional living skills, money management, and the use of public transportation. They also assist in navigating secondary education/pre–vocational/career planning and preparations. They provide strategies to prevent and address bullying of others and being bullied and offer help in navigating family–serving systems and community/social services. We hope to create opportunities for youth to connect positively to their communities.

Target Population

The project target population is juvenile justice system–involved youth, ages 17 and under, screened as being low risk to public safety by a juvenile justice agency that needs appropriate community–based supervision or diversion services. Through partnerships with the Suffolk County District Attorney (SCDA) and the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS), we will be able to serve youth who are eligible for diversion by the SCDA’s Office as well as youth who are returning to the community post–adjudication/post–treatment under the supervision of DYS. Youth referred by the SCDA Juvenile Unit will be youth who are eligible for diversion and are pre–arraignment. Youth referred by the DYS Metro Boston area office will have completed their court–ordered DYS treatment/residential placement and are re–entering the community under DYS supervision.