Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
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Annual Reports
Run Club for Incarcerated Youth Celebrates First 5K Run/Walk
On Saturday, April 25, nine youth in the custody of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) had their first experience participating in a 5K run/walk. The race took place on the secure campus of IDJJ’s PEACE Center in St. Charles.
Professors Zach Wahl-Alexander and Jennifer Jacobs from Northern Illinois University’s (NIU) Department of Kinesiology had the idea for the 5K after starting a run club for incarcerated youth at the PEACE Center earlier this year. The run club is a new addition to Project FLEX, NIU’s extensive programming partnership with IDJJ. Project Flex uses sports programming to make a positive impact on the lives of incarcerated youth.
For more information, download the press release on our news & media page.
IDJJ Values
Safety
We are all responsible for working to create a physically and
emotionally safe environment for everyone.
Integrity
We strive to do what is right in every situation; we act with fairness
and professionalism, & we are accountable for our actions.
Change
We support everyone’s capacity for growth and believe in
opportunities for individual and systemic transformation.
Dignity
We believe that all people have intrinsic value and should be
treated with kindness and respect, recognizing differences in
culture, background, and trauma experiences.
Teamwork
We only succeed as a team and communication is the key to our success.
Community Partners
The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is grateful to the many wonderful community partner organizations and individuals that provide educational, recreational and therapeutic services and opportunities to our youth. The below organizations provide services such as art therapy, restorative justice programs, literacy training, mentoring, tutoring, animal therapy, violence prevention, vocational training, musical theater, peer mentoring, substance abuse prevention, oral communication skills, recreational and athletic activities, higher education opportunities, and more. Click on the logos to learn more about our community partners.
*Partner organizations are still being updated. Email dominique.newman@illinois.gov if your organization is missing from this list.