NCJ Number
91979
Date Published
1982
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A series of four tapes presenting some of the general sessions and workshops from the Detroit conference on Volunteers and the Serious Juvenile Offender cover the need for and the benefits of using volunteers in work with juvenile offenders, how the Michigan juvenile justice system works and how volunteers help in its mission, the development of the volunteer role, and screening, and training volunteers.
Abstract
In considering the importance of volunteerism in juvenile justice, one presentation advises that diminishing resources for juvenile justice and simultaneous increasing demand for services makes the use of volunteers mandatory. Further, volunteers are viewed by juvenile offenders as less of a threat than criminal justice professionals, thus making them uniquely valuable in work with juveniles. The presentation dealing with the development of the role of volunteers advocates building individual volunteers' roles around a mix of activities the volunteer may not find interesting but which must be done and activities which the volunteer finds highly meaningful and personally satisfying. By this means, the required areas of service delivery are covered while the motivation of the volunteer is sustained. Other means of holding the interst of volunteers are also identified. A discussion of successful volunteer involvement with the juvenile court pays attention to dealing with professional staff resistance; working with volunteers; and recruiting, screening, and training volunteers. A workshop discussion also approaches to evaluating the work of volunteers.