We want to start this year off as strong as we ended it - and we could use your help.  Every year in Los Angeles there are youth whose needs are not addressed through suspension, school pushout, and arrest. Every year CYS works collaboratively with schools, law enforcement, families, community members, and youth to prevent suspension, school pushout, and arrest.    This important work cannot be done without you – your support can help ensure more youth are treated equitably a

Before you begin, take a moment to slow down and read with curiosity. The stories in this flipbook share real experiences of harm, accountability, and healing through Restorative Justice ( what is Restorative Justice? ). As you turn each page, you’ll encounter different perspectives and paths toward repair. There are no perfect answers here—only opportunities to listen, reflect, and imagine what justice can look like when relationships and community are at the center.   Click

As a part of our initiative,  Communities in Communication Through Restorative Justice, to make Restorative Justice practices more accessible and easier to understand, we have created a toolkit highlighting the key elements of a focus group. It also includes a video demonstration of a focus group!   Check it out.  Interested in learning more about focus groups? Know someone that might be interested in focus groups? Check out and share this quick and easy to understand focus

Legislation that strengthens Restorative Justice initiatives helps build safer, more resilient communities by shifting the focus from punishment to healing. These laws empower those harmed to have a voice in resolution while supporting individuals who caused harm in taking meaningful responsibility. Such measures reduce recidivism, address the root causes of conflict, and promote stronger relationships within communities. As a result, Restorative Justice legislation fosters l

As we reflect on 2025, we would like to highlight the impact CYS has had as a leader in Restorative Justice and advocate for community healing.  With new partnerships in schools and local agencies, CYS is reaching a wider network of youth and families; fostering safe and connected communities.   The amazing work done at CYS comes from the strong team of staff that make it their daily priority to uplift youth, their families and the community. This year, we welcomed some amazi

Restorative Justice Week is an annual event that takes place during the third week of November. It is an opportunity to:   Reflect on how restorative justice can be applied to daily challenges  Highlight and discuss the most recent achievements of restorative justice  Raise awareness on restorative justice, its values and its principles contribute to social change ( 1 ). Centinela Youth Services likes to take this time to celebrate what it prioritizes all year long; which is

Last month, Centinela Youth Services commemorated its 50th anniversary with a moving community celebration.  The evening opened with reflections on five decades of restorative work, followed by heartfelt recognition of individuals whose efforts continue to transform lives across the region. Kaci Patterson received the Transformation Award for her unwavering commitment to community-centered reform. Judge Katherine Lucero and Victoria Birch were honored with the Innovator A

October marks ADHD Awareness Month—a time to raise understanding and promote education around Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. According to a 2022 national parent survey, “an estimated 7 million U.S. children ages 3–17 (approximately 11.4%) have been diagnosed with ADHD.” ( 1 ) Many of the young people we serve in our community are impacted by ADHD—whether they have a formal diagnosis or are experiencing symptoms without one. Research shows that the rate of ADHD is f

Youth recidivism is a pressing issue with long-term social implications. High rates of recidivism for youth involved in the juvenile justice system suggest that the system often fails to address the root causes of harmful behavior ( 1 ). A significant portion of youth who enter the juvenile justice system end up reoffending, caught in a cycle that limits their options while simultaneously not properly addressing underlying causes and roots of such behavior ( 2 ).  The roots c

As a part of our initiative, Communities in Communication Through Restorative Justice, to make restorative justice practices more accessible and easier to understand, we have created a toolkit highlighting the key elements of a circle. It also includes a video demonstration of a circle!   Check it out.  Interested in learning more about circles? Know someone that might be interested in circles? Check out and share this quick and easy to understand circle toolkit on our websit

CYS is excited to come together with youth, community, partners, volunteers, and supporters to celebrate our 50th anniversary. Please join us on Wednesday October 29th at Playa Studios (Culver City) for a special evening with music, inspiring speeches, food, networking and more. Thank you to our sponsors!  We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors, whose support makes this celebration possible and helps us continue our mission of empowering youth and strengtheni

Within Los Angeles County, as well as nationwide, it is essential to prioritize the support and livelihood of our LGBTQIA+ youth. LGBTQIA+ youth, particularly those who are Black or Latino, are disproportionately affected by the school-to-prison pipeline ( 1 ). These students often face hostile school climates marked by bullying, misgendering, lack of affirming support, and zero-tolerance discipline policies that criminalize the LGBTQIA+ community. According to national data,

This year, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationally from September 15 to October 15, and honors the rich history, culture, and contributions of Latino and Hispanic communities in the U.S. With more than 60 million Latinos in the U.S - and one in four people identifying as Hispanic or Latino-Hispanic heritage represents a vital and foundational part of our nation's identity. ( 1 ) During this month and beyond, we stand committed to our honoring, uplifting, and collabor

As a part of our initiative, Communities in Communication Through Restorative Justice, to make restorative justice practices more accessible and easier to understand, we have created a toolkit highlighting the key elements of mediation. It also includes a video demonstration of mediation!   Interested in learning more about mediation? Know someone that might be interested in mediation? Check out and share this quick and easy to understand mediation toolkit on our website: cys

Community Violence Intervention (also known as CVI), a community-led approach to safety, is an essential part of the violence prevention...

Restorative Justice (RJ) creates space for conversations that might not otherwise happen. It empowers those directly involved in a harm...

Civic habits can and should begin at an early age. Kids who are engaged are more likely to vote, volunteer, and advocate later in life....

Local government representatives make decisions that affect our everyday lives. These decisions impact schools, policing, housing,...

Autism is a common developmental disability that may not always be immediately recognized during interactions with law enforcement....

In recent weeks, families across our community have been deeply impacted by intensifying immigration enforcement activity. At CYS, we’ve...