Restorative Justice Weekend

What it is

The Restorative Justice Weekend program gives young people the opportunity to focus on giving back and making amends to the community for criminal or delinquent behavior, while remaining at home during the week. Activities include facility maintenance, groundskeeping, and community service projects.

Staff use a behavior modification system built on supervision, goal setting, project and task completion, the Teaching-Motivation System, and the Seven Principles, a pro-social skills framework unique to Wolverine programs.

Intake criteria

Young men and young women, ages 12 to 17
Served by the family court’s juvenile division, or placed by private referral
Physically able to participate in work activities
Accepting responsibility for placement and willing to participate
Under court or care management supervision with a security level of community based or probation

Wolverine provides transportation throughout Michigan at additional cost if needed.

Weekend schedule

Time	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
7:00 to 8:30 am		Wake-up and breakfast	Wake-up and breakfast
8:30 am to 12:00 pm		Work projects	Work projects
12:00 to 1:00 pm		Lunch	Lunch
1:00 to 1:30 pm		Work projects	Discharge
1:30 to 5:00 pm		Work projects
4:00 to 5:00 pm	Intake
5:00 to 6:00 pm	Dinner	Dinner
6:00 to 8:00 pm	Work projects	Work projects
8:00 to 9:45 pm	Personal hygiene	Personal hygiene
9:45 pm	Lights out	Lights out

For parents and guardians

Communication. Telephone contact and visits are not permitted during the weekend. In an emergency, contact the program supervisor at the main campus, (989) 823-3040.

Medication. Bring only the amount required for the weekend, in the original prescription bottle with the young person’s name and dosage instructions printed on it.

Clothing and hygiene. Program clothing is provided, except undergarments, and worn until pickup. Personal clothing is stored. Bring your own soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, and menstrual products.

Completion. At the end of the ordered weekends, the supervisor sends a recommendation to the probation officer or court covering time served, progress, and any unresolved issues.

Expulsion. Two or more unexcused scheduled weekends, or major or ongoing disruption, results in expulsion. Every incident is reported to the parent or guardian and the court.

Truancy. If a young person does not arrive, staff contact the parent or guardian and the referring court or probation officer immediately. If they remain missing, a missing persons report is filed with police. Truancy is a violation of a court order and can result in a petition for escalation, violation of probation, or new charges.

Refer a young person

Courts and probation officers can send a referral request or call Vassar intake at (989) 823-3040.