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In keeping with Catholic Social Teaching and traditions, Ministry to Youth in Detention will:
- Seek to network with parishes and the community to mobilize parish awareness, resources and volunteers.
- Seek to uphold human dignity and respect for life especially as it relates to the criminal justice system.
- Seek to support personnel and volunteers of different faiths and groupings so we may work together.
Goals of Ministry to Youth in Detention:
- To bring about an awareness by educating and developing insight as to the need to minister to those youth with high risk profiles.
- To bring about a spiritual presence that will assist in reaching out to their needs through prayer and worship services.
- To implement a Mentoring program, "Life Coaches", which builds personal character in the context of a caring adult community and self-motivation through acts of community service.
- To develop and implement a leadership program teaching the need to value and be valued; it is grounded by caring, supporting and directing the youth detained empowering them to recognize their gifts and the choices they have to succeed without the need to recidivate.
- To develop and provide programs designed to address values formation, spirituality, social justice concerns and personal growth to prepare youth for their re-entry into the community.
- To assist the youth, once released, by linking them with good role-modeling groups, or mentors that they can rely on for emotional support.
Suggestions for Ministry To Youth In Detention Facilities
- Provide meaningful prayer services
- Provide Scripture Services which are relevant to adolescents
- Provide discussion evenings with topics relevant to adolescents
- Bible Study
- Music---(Popular song) discuss the lyrics, message (negative/positive).
- Coffee House- Share poetry, stories, or talent.
- Youth Ministry groups sending affirming messages and/or Scripture Passages to encourage positive outlook.
- Develop and implement a retreat day for youth in detention.
- Drama (interactive Biblical skits with modern day interpretations).
- Cultural activities/Discussion of traditions
- Bring in Motivational Speakers
- Peer Testimony
- Life Coach Mentoring Program
"Jesus' mission began with proclaiming good news to the poor and release to captives (Lk.4). In our day we are called to find Christ in our young troubled youth, prisoners in our jails and on death row, crime victims and families experiencing pain and loss. (NCCB/USCCB)
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Ministry to Youth in Detention
