PayBack, Inc.

PayBack, Inc. is a local nonprofit 501C(3) organization sustained through the generous donations of private individuals, businesses, grants and fund-raising events; PayBack works with an operating budget of just over $100,000.

PayBack's partners with the five St. Louis Metro Area Courts to fund and administer restorative justice programs for youth offenders and victims by raising restitution funds, locating job sites, and restoring the youth's sense of self through personal accountability, community service, and job skills. Over half a million dollars has been returned to metro area crime victims by youth in the PayBack program.

Youth who come before the St. Louis Metropolitan Area Family Courts are ordered to participate in a victim impact session and placed at local not-for-profits for their court-ordered community service. For this mandatory work, youth earn minimum wage credit through PayBack to be used exclusively for repayment to their victims.

Based on data-driven outcomes, feedback from children, parents, victims, worksites, and court personnel, this program works!