Strong functional families are key to youth crime prevention
Helping children within juvenile justice systems is an international concern. Their successful reunification with family is a global aspiration.
This week, Jamaican Chief Justice Bryan Sykes shared some compelling insights. He was speaking during ‘Probation After-care Services Week’ in Kingston, Jamaica.
He encouraged after-care probation workers to seize opportunities to connect with parents. To drive home the critical need for parents to remain “present, active and functional”.
This resonated strongly with us. The goal of Route 61 is to help children find home, connect with home, go home and thrive.
There’s that word ‘connect’ again. Families are relational units. To us, a heart connected is a heart at home.
Our ultimate desire is to get children home. But what if that child doesn’t have that choice?
For some children, their remand cases get delayed. Others are living out a sentence period. Both situations force them to live in separation from family.
The danger we see is this – every day the child remains disconnected from home, the gap of separation increases. This may result in long-term internal brokenness. Feelings of unwanted and rejection are soon compounded.
Connection Is Critical
Even during these waiting times, we can build and maintain connections.
Right now, along with Kisumu Children’s Remand Home, we are piloting something special. It is unique for Kenya.
Each week, we facilitate activities that build relationships between children and families. Small things like, a weekly telephone call, letter writing, and video calls with home. Progressing to family visits and activity time.
This will create opportunities. Whilst building connections, we will empower the wider family to accept their responsibilities. To be parents, actively playing their part in the lives of their children.
Strong, functional families are of paramount importance
It is our belief that family is God’s design, his best intention. Family is the very fabric of society – when this gets damaged or broken, society suffers.
This is all backed up by academic studies. These confirm what many of us already know. Strong, loving families are more likely to produce strong, loving kids. Children who are much less likely to partake in antisocial behaviours.
