Juvenile Detention-Based Groups
Who are the girls that are served in this program?
Since the founding of Powerful Voices we have been holding girls group inside the King County Juvenile Detention. These girls groups are for young women incarcerated and involved in the juvenile justice system.
When is our Detention Program?
We have group with girls twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings just before the girls receive dinner. This program runs all year long, as there are constantly new faces in detention.
What is being offered in our Detention Program?
Girls involved in the Juvenile Justice System are constantly criticized by society, Surviving within systems that are not historically designed for them, girls need safe spaces to build trust with others, ask questions and self-reveal without judgment, practice skills, and develop leadership for a fighting chance at a life beyond incarceration. Powerful Voices staff makes important first contact with girls in detention utilizing approaches that validate girls’ emotional and psychological processes. We strive for cultural responsiveness in introducing organizational values, program goals, and practices. In our programs, girls explore their right to feel safe, make healthy choices, and advocate for themselves.
What are the specific objectives of the Detention Program?
- Youth increase awareness of the resources available to them after release
- Youth develop coping strategies
- Youth increase positive experiences with female peers
- Youth gain an awareness of how critical thinking and choices affect their future
- Youth cultivate a commitment to activism
- Youth have increased experiences with activists and role models in the community
- Youth utilize goal-setting
- Youth who are invisible by society are provided with a forum for expression
- Youth develop their communication and self-advocacy skills
What does girls’ group in Juvie look like?
For an hour the girls sit in a comfortable circle and discuss issues that affect all adolescent girls. Powerful Voices Staff prepares activities and curriculum for group that will allow girls to talk, share, and be heard. Partners come in at least once a week and will share their skills and stories so girls can connect with strong women in their communities.
Contact:
Rita Alcantara, Program Director