CASES launched the Civic Justice Corps program in 2011 under a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. CASES was one of fifteen organizations selected from across the country to take part in this new initiative.

The eight-month program serves youth ages 18 and over with recent involvement in the juvenile justice system. The goal of the program is to provide young people with the opportunity to repair the harm they may have caused to their communities and reestablish community trust while reengaging with education and developing basic work readiness skills.

Screening

CASES screens youth for enrollment in the program based on referrals from the Department of Probation, the Office of Children and Family Services, the Family Court system and other sources.

Referrals to Civic Justice Corps

Services

• Community service and service learning projects - meaningful projects meeting real community needs that are often selected and organized by program participants
• Education - on-site pre-GED and GED instruction, GED testing and tutoring
• Career development - work readiness training seminars followed by placement in paid internships at local businesses, government agencies and nonprofits
• Follow-up services - four months of post-program support including job/job training placement and post-secondary enrollment