Our Work: Emerging Adult Program
“There is a stigma that restorative work is too gentle or lets people avoid consequences, but I would argue that it actually requires more effort and commitment than traditional punitive measures. Genuine accountability to ourselves, our neighbors, and our community is how we create a better world.”
Thrive has been a supporting partner for the Emerging Adults Program (EAP) through the Deschutes County District Attorney’s office since the program’s inception in 2021. The program - a pre-charge, restorative justice diversion program for young adults between the ages of 18 to 25 - is an alternative to traditional incarceration and fines, and helps repair wrongs, hold accountability, and build trust in our community.
Our Community Outreach Advocate Joe currently works with the EAP program, and shared a bit with us this month about how the program works, how his work with EAP is different from Thrive's drop-in sites, and the value of understanding and supporting restorative justice.
The Facts:
EAP is a collaboration between Deschutes County District Attorney's Office, Deschutes Defenders, Thrive Central Oregon, Restorative Justice & Equity, and a team of dedicated volunteers. Participants are referred through the DA's Office and given a choice to participate in the program as an alternative to the traditional court system.
EAP requires the young adults to accept responsibility for their actions while also offering them the opportunity to redirect their lives by completing a personalized accountability plan. This plan is intended to repair the harm caused by their crime, increase access to local services and resources, and engage with the community.
Participants are eligible for expungement upon completion of the program, leaving their criminal record clean.
There are currently 12 active participants, and there can be up to 15 at one time.
When a participant starts working with Joe, he first explains that EAP is an opportunity to reflect on the impacts and repair the harm caused by their actions. The program requires participation in restorative justice circles, which are structured conversations that bring together those affected by wrongdoing* to repair harm, restore relationships, and determine ways to move forward. Rooted in community accountability, these circles emphasize dialogue, empathy, and collective responsibility rather than punishment.
Over the course of 6 months, participants engage in circles and create a personal accountability plan. Much of Joe’s work is walking alongside participants - helping them feel like they’re not alone in figuring this all out. Joe supports participants by connecting them to resources, problem solving together, and helping them build agency and self-advocacy skills.
While he does find himself connecting participants with resources similar to our drop-in sites - like housing and basic needs- many resource connections are actually related to education, career, and community engagement. Many of the young adults involved in the program need support in building community and setting and working toward long-term goals. Common referrals include COIC's Youth Compass program, GED programs, specialized support groups, mental health resources, and community service opportunities.
Joe has found that young adults in the program are able to have space, time, and support to work through all the emotions that come with their crime. The participant’s initial shame, guilt, or regret transform through self-reflection and support, which allows for healing for themselves, the harmed parties, and the community. Joe says, “This often leads to more fulfilling outcomes and healing for them compared to the traditional punitive criminal justice system.”
Joe has some truly lovely reflections after working with the EAP program for over a year:
“I want people to know that restorative justice works and is worth investing community resources in. We've all been taught that punishment is the only appropriate response to crime, but I think what most people truly want when they are harmed is accountability. Fines and jail time feel like concrete consequences, but they usually don't lead to honest reflection or addressing root causes of a person's behavior.
Restorative justice requires people to take responsibility for the harm they have caused, attempt to repair that harm, and deeply engage with their community. There is a stigma that restorative work is too gentle or lets people avoid consequences, but I would argue that it actually requires more effort and commitment than traditional punitive measures. Genuine accountability to ourselves, our neighbors, and our community is how we create a better world.”
At Thrive, we are grateful to work with Joe and EAP staff, to support the participants and this program!
*Harmed parties can choose to participate in the program through a Harmed Party Advocate by providing input for accountability plans, exchanging letters with the responsible party, or participating in a restorative circle to have an honest face to face conversation with the person that caused them harm.
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