(Woodland, CA) – October 12, 2018 – The Yolo County District Attorney’s Neighborhood Court (NHC) will hold volunteer trainings for local community members interested in serving as program volunteers. The first training will take place on Saturday, October 20th, from 8:45am – 5:00pm, at the Davis Police Department.
Once trained as panelists, volunteers may go on to serve in the “Steps to Success” program. “Steps to Success” utilizes restorative justice to resolve criminal cases while providing wrap around services for participants suffering from mental illness and/or Substance Use Disorder. Individuals who have personal experience with or have family members suffering from mental illness and/or addiction are encouraged to participate. To learn more about Neighborhood Court (NHC) and “Steps to Success,” attend an informational presentation on Tuesday, October 16th, from 6-7pm, at the Davis Police Department.
NHC is an innovative diversion program which has been changing how communities address local crime outside of the traditional court process since June of 2013. The program enables residents affected by crimes to have a voice and express how their neighborhoods have been harmed and what they need in order to make things right. To date, NHC has held over 1500 conferences in Davis, West Sacramento, and Woodland.
Conferences are staffed by volunteers who are trained to hear and facilitate criminal cases. Trainings cover the basic principles of restorative justice and the 3-step Neighborhood Court conference process. Agreements created through this process are designed to educate and address underlying issues affecting participants, while also emphasizing acceptance of responsibility. Agreements encourage actions that focus on reparation of harms to the community and any direct victims affected, as well as self-reflection.
Service hours are flexible, volunteers, through their input, are able to positively impact the trajectory of participants’ lives. When asked why working as a volunteer was important to him, Davis Panelist Wil Uecker, explained, “I appreciate the opportunity to work with people in a supportive way to help them gain insight into the problems which led to their offense and to help them develop a plan of action for going forward. It’s giving them more than a second chance; we are also providing guidance and support so their second chance will result in a good outcome.”
To find out more about Neighborhood Court and Steps to Success, visit www.yoloda.org/nc and submit a volunteer application or register for upcoming events. You can also email Nicole.Kirkaldy@yolocounty.org or call 530.666.8378.
Fall Training & Event Dates
NHC & S2S Informational Presentation:
• Tuesday, October 16th, 6-7pm, at the Davis Police Department – 2600 5th Street
Neighborhood Court Panelist Training:
• Saturday, October 20th, 8:45am-5pm, at the Davis Police Department – 2600 5th Street
• Saturday, November 3rd, 8:45am-5pm, at the Woodland Health & Human Services Agency building – 25 N. Cottonwood, Community Rm #167
• Saturday, November 10th, 8:45am-5pm, at the West Sacramento Community Center – 1075 W. Capitol Ave
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