in Juvenile Justice Systems

These youth are adjudicated by the juvenile court for committing criminal acts and are subsequently confined in a county juvenile hall, camp or ranch, or state youth prison. As wards of the court, young felons are proceeding on a criminal career path that normally continues until about age 24. These antisocial and rebellious youth pose a threat to society and their own well-being, making this population a priority focus for the staff of Pacific youth.

As youth approach adolescence and move into their teenage years, many are at-risk for self-destructive if not potential criminal behavior. Youth are bombarded by a world system severely lacking in values and boundaries at a time in their lives when they are tempted to test limits. Pacific Youth is in place to provide practical instruction to the church in reaching out to at-risk youth in their community. If every church in the United States would reach out to even one at-risk youth, literally thousands of young men and women would be saved from entering the criminal justice system.

Pacific Youth has a unique opportunity to minister to the whole family. Bonds formed with youth inside the institutions can extend to the family. In particular, as youth reenter the community, continuity of care services such as mentoring can link the youth and family to other needed services, as well as providing opportunities to become affiliated with a local church. Youth who trust in Christ can become witnesses of a new and better life to family members.

While state and federal prisons have paid chaplains, the majority of youth facilities at the county level have no funding for Chaplains. Pacific Youth serves institutions and administrators by enabling them to comply with the law. While the youth come and go from facilities, the correctional staff members remain employees. Pacific Youth staff members and volunteers have a significant ministry in the lives of the correctional staff.

God puts the needs of troubled youth on the hearts of some of His people. They sincerely desire to get involved with hurting youth. Pacific Youth provides a vehicle for people like these to be trained and utilized in effective ministry.

Working with gang-involved youth is complex due to the social context and issues that encompass gangs. Particular attention must be paid to the underlying culture of the gang lifestyle. Outreach-Guide style of gang ministry is used to impact current gang members (gang intervention) as well as younger gang member siblings (gang prevention) through family guidance, individual counseling, life skills development, and collective positive activities.

Abused youth are removed from their parents and guardians because of neglect or other circumstances that warrant being placed in a safe environment. While not considered delinquent, these young victims pose a much greater risk of becoming law breakers than the average young person. As a result many are ticking time bombs.

In specific target areas, Pacific Youth is providing ministry to incarcerated adults. Incarcerated adults in jails, prisons, and ICE facilities have the same primary needs (e.g., evangelism, discipleship, and follow-up) as incarcerated youth.

Christian colleges and seminaries need ministry sites that welcome and supervise student interns. Pacific Youth meets this need through its internship and Christian service programs.

If the Church of Jesus Christ is to follow His direction and example, sensitivity to the needs of the incarcerated must be further developed. The Christian community at-large needs greater compassion for the unlovely.