We are excited to share our first Board Member Spotlight , a blog series created to showcase the inspiring individuals who make up MCYJ’s board of directors. This month features Paul Elam PhD, the Chief Strategy Officer for the Michigan Public Health Institute , or MPHI, a Michigan-based nonprofit focused on developing solutions to critical public health needs. In his role, Dr. Elam is responsible for helping to diversify MPHI’s portfolio to address cutting-edge issues that a

We are excited to add our first Youth Justice Advocate Profile to highlight the incredible individuals, alongside MCYJ, trying to make a lasting impact for youth in Michigan. This month we’re featuring an interview with Deshawn Leeth, the founder and executive director of Under Dawg Nation (UDN) , a nonprofit dedicated to helping at-risk youth who lack resources to help prevent violence and disengagement from school. His passion and dedication have led to the creation of inn

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Adolescence is frequently marked by impulsive actions, a propensity for taking risks, and a heightened influence of peers — traits that can sometimes lead to unlawful behavior. However, as young people mature, they typically grow out of such behaviors. This is referred to as " desistance ", the process through which individuals reduce and eventually cease offending. Recognizing the differences between ad