Focal Point for Justice

The Credible Messenger Justice Center is at the forefront of advancing the Credible Messenger approach, an innovative model of restorative justice that relies on the unique relationships that Credible Messengers form with justice-involved youth, and others, to modify individual behavior and strengthen disadvantaged communities. Central to the approach, Credible Messengers are individuals who are able to connect with and motivate the most at-risk young people to successfully challenge and transform destructive thinking, attitudes and actions. A leader in the justice community, the Center is researching and evaluating the effectiveness of the approach, incubating and supporting programs, and spreading the methodology.

You establish your credibility by sharing your experience — not just telling them what to do. It’s about reliability and credibility — someone they can connect with and get guidance from. These kids have to qualify you, and when they do, they open up.

Credible Messenger

An Innovative Process that Works

Current approaches to justice, which rely on incarceration and other punitive measures, are extremely expensive and often fail to provide positive opportunities for justice-involved people or reduce the tension and frustration within their home communities.

The Credible Messenger approach is a promising concept. A five year old transformative mentoring program in New York City shows that participants are significantly less likely to become repeat offenders or have deeper involvement with the justice system. Similar initiatives in Washington, DC and Oakland, CA are seeing comparable success.

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Bring the Model to Your Community

Not just another peer mentoring program, the Credible Messenger movement integrates community-based organizations and government justice agencies, as part of an evidence-generating approach that is now supported by empirical data and emerging academic research. Restorative methods of justice are merged with social science communication techniques to modify behavior. The result is an inside-out, community-first model based on transforming relationships.

In New York City alone, more than 2,500 justice-involved people have been connected with Credible Messengers through an innovative, community-based transformative mentoring program. The criminal recidivism rates of these young people are down significantly. Their families and communities are better off. And the dedicated Credible Messengers have benefited from increased self-esteem, sense of purpose, and opportunities to continue their healing and improve their lives.

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Growing up with eight brothers, I didn’t learn to express myself, but when you come here, you feel free to speak. They take time to talk and listen and build the relationship. I realized I was changing when they asked questions and I knew positive things to do instead of arguing or fighting. Arches saved my life. If not for them, I would be in jail.

Isabella | Mentee

Be a Meaningful Agent for Change

People who have been through the justice system and have been transformed can serve as positive role models for others. Serving as mentors in community programs, Credible Messengers are trusted by justice-involved people looking to get their lives back on track. With their life experience, Credible Messengers can contribute through a meaningful mentoring relationship with a young person while earning money and getting training and skills that will lead to jobs and the beginning of a career path. Most importantly they contribute to improving the justice system from within their communities.

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