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Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Leadership Attends the Probation Transformation Midwest Convening

Oct 3, 2024
Building Connections for Healthy Youth and Safe Communities

Chicago, IL – Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court leadership attended the Probation Transformation Midwest Convening which gathered key figures from the juvenile justice system, community organizations, and academic leaders in Chicago for a three-day event aimed at transforming youth probation. The convening focused on strengthening relationships between courts, community partners, and grassroots organizations to create healthier environments for young people and safer neighborhoods for all.

Key attendees included:

  • Court Representatives: Judge McDonough, Tim McDevitt, Bridget Gibbons, Van Ward, Sarah Pubentz, Jerry Billups, and Nicholas Holmes (Youth Leader).
  • Court Partner: Brett Kyker (Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office)
  • Community Partners: Latoya Logan (Project Lift), Bree Easterling (Policy Matters Ohio), Hannah Christ (Case Western Reserve University School of Law), Ossie Mae Neal (Spread the Love Foundation), and Peter Whit (St. Luke’s Foundation).

The event kicked off with an inspiring keynote by poet Faylita Hicks “Constructing Sanctuaries, Not Walls. The opening session set a bold tone, emphasizing fresh, creative approaches to foster collaboration between justice systems and community organizations.

Day 2 Highlights

The day began with a Wellness 5K Walk/Jog/Run with Sarah Pubentz and Jerry Billups as participants, followed by a pivotal conversation on *Reimagining Youth in Detention in Chicago*. Faculty members addressed the significance of closing unnecessary detention facilities, keeping youth close to their families, and ensuring strong ties with the community. They emphasized the idea that communities directly affected by problems often hold the solutions.

Another key discussion, Partnering for Safety: Utilizing Community-Based Strategies to Reduce Youth Violence, brought together executives from Midwest-based community organizations. Speakers highlighted the need for larger agencies to form meaningful partnerships with grassroots organizations, respecting their distinct communication styles and unique ability to connect with families in ways that larger institutions may struggle with.

Workshops and Community Visit

Participants had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops, including:

  • Community-System Partnerships in Action
  • HOPE: Harnessing Opportunities for Positive Engagement
  • Prosecutors as Partners in Probation Transformation
  • Resourcing Community: Real-Life Solutions to Real-Life Challenges (led by Bridget Gibbons)
  • Transformed Case Planning in Youth Probation: A Family Engaged Model

The day concluded with a visit to BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development) Chicago, where participants learned about the program’s arts, fitness, health, and innovation-based approach to engaging youth. The visit left attendees inspired by BUILD’s successful organizational structure and community partnerships, sparking new ideas for implementation in their own programs.

Day 3: Reflections and Future Planning

On the final day, attendees gathered for a reflection session to discuss key takeaways and begin developing action plans for their respective communities. Every voice was heard, from Judge McDonough to community partners, with a special focus on the contributions of youth leader Nicholas Holmes, ensuring that future strategies would be centered around youth needs and perspectives.

The convening reinforced the importance of community partnerships in creating effective change in youth probation systems. By collaborating with grassroots organizations and empowering youth voices, the Probation Transformation Midwest Convening highlighted the path forward for a system focused on rehabilitation, safety, and hope.