Working with At Risk Youth in Restorative Justice

We get to work with our Restorative Justice kids tomorrow. It's always good to see them coming. They are a  really big help when it comes to getting things done. Like always, there's a lot to do.

The kids are going to get to help us create an educational and awareness display about Hope for Healing.Org. A stack of brochures have to be folded and we're going to get some purple ribbon cards created.

Since Valentine's Day is coming up we have something special for the kids. The four girls who are scheduled will each get a small box of candy that you see in the photo. It's a small thing to do to let the girls know we care.

It's interesting to see what happens when the kids create displays. This gives us the opportunity to explain about the cycle. As they learn about domestic violence the light bulbs come on. You can see it on their faces. Unfortunately, this isn't always the happiest moment.

All too often the kids are familiar with domestic violence on a personal level. It is a rare exception when the kids haven't experienced domestic violence. Another troubling thing is that just about all the kids have friends who are already involved in dangerous relationships.

What we're seeing echoes information on the Love Is Respect Foundation website. This is the site for the National Teen Dating Violence helpline. There is also a live chat feature where kids can get help. Both kids and parents may want to check out the website.

March 8 is International Women's Day

As I write this the headlines are startling. There is much argument over whether CEDAW should be passed. CEDAW stands for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. It is touted as a pact that would supposedly give women equal rights.

So far, there are only 8 UN countries who have not signed this important to work. The United States, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Qatar, Nauru, Palau and Tonga.

There are those in the United States that would question the need for signing this pact. Don't women already have equal rights?

Don't we?

The Equal Rights Amendment was proposed in 1923. According to Equalrightsamendment.org the amendment is still not a part of the US Constitution.

Surprised?

As I write this

• Headlines speak of a man who murdered two women and their innocent children in Ohio.
• A friend who is a minster struggles to be affirmed by her denomination.
• Another friend who trained to be a mechanic quits trying to find a job in her field.
• 1:6 Women will be a victim of attempted rape in her lifetime. Source: RAINN.Org
• 1:33 Men will become victims. Source: RAINN.Org

These are only a few examples.

International Women's Day was created to honor a woman worldwide. Some countries celebrate it like Mother's Day is celebrated in the US. Other countries use it as a springboard to push forward for equal rights for women.

In other countries, like the US, the day will pass quietly unnoticed by the majority of people in the country.

What will you do?





http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/