Each April, organizations, individuals and even states across the country work to raise awareness about the barriers faced by those with a criminal record by recognizing Second Chance Month. But adult former offenders are not the only people impacted by the stigma of a criminal record.

Black youth are disproportionately criminalized in our current, modern juvenile justice system. They are five times as likely to be incarcerated compared to white youth, according to data collected by The Sentencing Project from as recently as 2023. The reasons why are not a mystery: there is bias embedded deep in the foundations of the system. But, how did these patterns develop? How has this country’s history influenced the way Black youth are treated today? Where do we go

It’s been a year since Michigan took a bold step forward in juvenile justice reform by enacting the Justice for Kids and Communities legislative package. This piece starts a new series highlighting the progress, challenges, and long-term vision of these reforms, as well as how communities across Michigan are bringing them to life.

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director I recently took a journey—one that was both deeply personal and professionally illuminating—across some of America’s most pivotal civil rights landmarks. This trip was possible thanks to support from the Campaign for Criminal Justice Transparency (CCJT), a Kalamazoo-based group dedicated to fostering transparency and engaging conversations between the community and those in positions of power. As an African American who has always been pass

We are excited to bring back our Board Member Spotlight this fall. This month, we are highlighting Pura Strong, who describes herself as a devoted woman of faith, driven by an eager desire to ignite positive change in the lives of others. As a fierce leader, she dedicates her time to advocating for youth and families directly impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, both of which she experienced as a young person. Along with being a relatively new addition

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director October marks Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM), a time when advocates nationwide raise awareness and inspire action for young people impacted by the justice system. This year, YJAM holds special significance here in Michigan, as October 1 marks the implementation of transformative juvenile justice reforms introduced through the Justice for Youth and Communities bill package, signed into law in December 2023. These reforms not only reflect

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director In a landmark move, Michigan has become the first state in the nation to officially acknowledge kinship caregivers with the same level of financial assistance and licensing requirements as traditional foster care providers. This pioneering reform aims to simplify the process for kin caregivers, allowing them to more readily obtain the aid necessary to support the children in their care. Such measures are especially crucial for those childre

This month’s Board Member Spotlight features Dave Bartek, who currently serves as an independent consultant in both the nonprofit and private sectors. This allows him to share his long and deep experience in leadership, employee engagement, strategic development, and business planning, along with team and individual coaching. Dave has held multiple and varied leadership positions over the last 25 years, coaching and mentoring on the finer points of leadership style and appro

By: Denita Dorsey, Outreach and Advocacy Manager As I navigate this role as Outreach and Advocacy Manager, I reflect on the significance of this opportunity and its responsibility. Working in the realm of juvenile justice is not merely about implementing policies; it's about upholding core values that prioritize the well-being and rights of our youth and their families. First and foremost, let’s address the term “core values.” Core values to MCYJ are the fundamental beliefs a

*Note: The material that is mentioned in this interview may be triggering to some individuals. Topics include gun violence, familial loss, and wrongful conviction. Please take care of yourself and proceed with caution as you read. We are excited to share our second Board Member Spotlight, a blog series that showcases the incredible individuals who make up MCYJ’s board of directors. This month features Ronald Simpson-Bey, a national leader in the movement to decarcerate Americ