Holiday Momentum

It feels like we are heading into the holidays with a healthy dose of momentum at the Center for Court Innovation.  Last week was a busy one across the organization.

For example, our youth justice team organized a training session for local principals and teachers who are interested in starting school-based youth courts.  (The above photo is taken from the event, which took place in our midtown headquarters).

Meanwhile, our tribal team brought a group of Navajo leaders to Red Hook to train local residents in how to create a peacemaking program at the Justice Center.

The Midtown Community Court hosted a celebration honoring the men who had graduated from the Court's fathering program.

We also hosted a training session for the Juvenile Justice Corps, our AmeriCorps program.  We've been running an AmeriCorps program since the initiative was launched by President Clinton's administration.    The Corps members have become an essential part of the daily operations of many of our demonstration projects; they were particularly helpful in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy as we attempted to restore Red Hook.  This year's cohort, which began their service year in October, is particularly impressive.  I look forward to seeing what they will accomplish.

And this is not to mention a series of meetings designed to improve the ways that we work with defendants and victims suffering from trauma, a visit from the chief judge of Chicago's criminal court, our work behind-the-scenes to help the New York courts establish a fund for victims of Hurricane Sandy, etc. etc. etc.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.