Transforming the lives of young people: Local nonprofit hosts ribbon cutting for Restorative and Transformative Justice hub to serve Newark youth
Newark, New Jersey — United Community Corporation (UCC), the Community Action Agency for the city of Newark in partnership with Essex County, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in February to officially launch the first-ever Restorative and Transformative Justice Hub (RTJ Hub) that UCC was selected to lead by the Essex County Youth Service Commission last year. In addition to the RTJ Hub, UCC serves members of the community through UCC YouthBuild, NJBUILD, emergency sheltering, utility assistance, free community refrigerators, a food pantry, mobile outreach, housing assistance, lead remediation/abatement, weatherization, recreational youth, family and senior programs, and much more.
The creation of the RTJ Hub was sparked by S2924, legislation that was championed by the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and created a two-year RTJ pilot program focused on “reducing initial and repeat youth involvement with the youth justice system, and making an appropriation.” This pilot was made in hopes of combating the racial disparities, high recidivism rates, and underfunded community-based services of the youth justice system.
UCC Executive Director Craig Mainor said, “The Restorative Transformative Justice Hub is not just a program, but a pledge to the communities we serve—a promise to heal, to rebuild, and to empower. As we navigate the challenges and complexities of justice and equity, we do so with a firm belief in the transformative power of restorative practices. This program embodies our commitment to service, compassion, and fairness, guiding participants toward a future defined by self-sufficiency, dignity, and a renewed sense of community. Together, we're not just creating pathways to justice; we're nurturing the soil for a garden of change that will flourish in Newark and beyond.”
After years of advocacy by young people and community leaders throughout New Jersey, the Restorative and Transformative Justice for Youths and Communities Pilot Program was signed into law in August 2021. The pilot program creates Restorative and Transformative Justice Hubs in Camden, Paterson, Newark, and Trenton with the purpose of reducing initial and repeat youth involvement with the youth justice system. UCC applied to lead the city of Newark’s Restorative Justice Hub last spring and will receive a grant totaling $1.6 million over the duration of the two-year pilot. UCC is a member of the Newark Youth Workforce Collaborative, a collective approach to creating a school-to-workforce pipeline within Newark. Opportunity Youth Network (OYN) serves as the backbone of the Collaborative.
“The Hub represents a partnership between UCC, law enforcement, schools, community-based organizations and the Juvenile Justice Commission to address the persistently high recidivism rates that accompany punitive-only systems,” said UCC Court Liaison Rahmel Leake. “When restorative and transformative justice models are applied with fidelity, there is a unique opportunity for a person who was harmed, when ready, and the young person who caused harm to come together in a safe space to bring about healing and work to move forward.”
Staff were trained on the RTJ tiers last summer by Cluster Community Services, a training organization based in Westchester County, New York. UCC staff also participated in training led by the New Jersey Bar Association and Seton Hall. The CBO will be utilizing a “holistic” approach within the program.
UCC Senior Director of Youth Education and Employment Services Jacqueline Henry said, “The work that we do with our young people, it’s about cause and effect. We’re helping our young people to understand what led them to make certain decisions that have had a negative impact on their lives, whether it's led to involvement with the justice system or challenges to completing their education. The RTJ Hub will become a centralized place where young people can gain access to the resources that they need in order to accomplish their goals.”
According to Henry, the RTJ program is now fully operational and is ready to receive young people. They’re currently working on getting referrals from school systems, the Newark Police Department and the county prosecutor’s office as they build out their first cohort. The RTJ Hub is housed at the West Side Park Community Center in Newark with a satellite location at the Spruce Street Club House.
Rob Clark, Founder of Chief Executive Officer of OYN, added, “The RTJ program is a strong step in the right direction for Newark’s young people and we are glad to see UCC leading this work. The presence of this hub in our community is more than just physical — it showcases a commitment to the growth and healing of those within it.”
Visit, https://uccnewark.org/ to learn more about UCC and the RTJ program.
