Young Adult Diversion Program
Photo by Monica Trinidad of Just Seeds
The Young Adult Diversion Program (YADP) is a pilot program providing community-based court diversion grounded in Restorative Practices operating out of Cumberland and Androscoggin Counties. The program brings together 18-25 year-olds diverted from the District Attorney’s Offices, with participants going through a one-time, two-hour program held every first and third Thursday evening of the month. Through a facilitated circle, participants have the opportunity to connect with peers with similar offenses around what happened, explore underlying issues that led to the occurrence, and get connected to community-based resources. YADP works in collaboration with formerly incarcerated young adults from Maine Youth Justice (MYJ), with MYJ members serving both as advisors to the program as well as Community Participants within the circles to offer support and guidance to program participants. YADP operates independently from the courts, with all information shared staying confidential within the circle.
For more information or questions, please contact the Young Adult Diversion Program Lead, Wendy Allen, at wallen@rjimaine.org.