In His Shoes | Juvenile Justice Sabbath

STANDING · WALKING · RUNNING
In His Shoes is an organization which rallies support for those who suffer in the world.
In His Shoes was created in response to acts of Genocide perpetrated against the Armenian nation in 1915.
We believe those who have suffered evil have a unique responsibility to take action against injustice to others.
Our actions are based on Christ’s principles of love, compassion and repaying evil with good.

Check out our new and improved site - quick access to past, present and future In His Shoes "steps."

In His Shoes Logo by Siroon Yeretzian

A Call for a Juvenile Justice System That Heals

Sunday,May 24, 2009 we joined over 200 congregations and faith based groups for “Juvenile Justice Sabbath”

at the
Armenian Church Youth Ministries Center
632 W. Stocker St., Glendale, CA 91202

We offered special prayers during the Holy Divine Liturgy for incarcerated children.

Download the flyer.

Right now there are A DOZEN THINGS THAT YOU COULD DO

1. Learn more about SB 399, The Fair Sentencing for Youth Act, and do whatever you can to ensure that this bill passes. For more information go to: www.fairsentencingforyouth.org
2. Support local programs that offer character-building opportunities to young people and divert their energy to positive activities—athletics, Scouting, Faith based-sponsored after-school and evening social programs, tutoring and literacy programs.
3. Volunteer your time to such programs.
4. Encourage schools, churches and neighborhood centers to teach conflict resolution, especially to children, as a way to reduce tension and violence.
5. Support and/or volunteer with programs that minister to victims. If they don’t exist, form a group to respond to the material, emotional and spiritual needs of victims.
6. Promote victim ministry programs in your parish.
7. Support and/or volunteer for detention ministry.
8. Reach out to families of the incarcerated, especially the children.
9. Support providing spiritual, material and emotional assistance to those re-entering society, both adult and youth.
10. Establish and/or support neighborhood groups to create cooperative relationships between neighbors, faith communities and law enforcement to create a safe and secure community.
11. Support programs that engage youth and build self-esteem. Become a Big Brother or Sister, join Project Read or PAL, mentor a child at risk, support school and community programs that engage children between 3 pm and 8 pm.
12. Work to repeal laws that treat children as if they were adults and to reform our criminal justice system to one that seeks restoration as well as punishment.

Please share this information widely. You may also download the PDF version for printing and distributing or sending as an attachment in e-mails.