Through December of 2005, 1,020 Juvenile offenders were put to work in the program and repaid $54,000 to victims and worked over 22,000 hours for non-profit and governmental agencies.

When a juvenile is ordered to pay restitution and CSH by the court, the Probation Department, Municipal, County or District Courts, DYC or diversion through the District Attorney’s office----they are usually referred to Partners. Depending on the nature of their crime (misdemeanor, felony or multi-referrals), they are charged a $40 or $60 fee and the coordinator places them at an approved community work location or on a work crew, administered by Partner employees.

The general public or businesses can hire the work crew, which is under the guidance of the child labor laws. The crew (usually six individuals) has a full-time supervisor, transportation, basic tools and insurance. The crews normally work within a 20-mile radius of the Partners’ offices.

Youth assessed CSH can only work at a non-profit and/or government agency and restitution offenders can be employed at a for-profit organization.

While working for Partners, youth are taught overall work ethics, responsibility for their actions, attend workshops and are offered educational classes. They can also use Partners as a reference for future job considerations or may acquire a full-time position through exposure to prospective employers.