Youthful Offender Transitions Program

The vision for YOTP is that youth engaged with the court will overcome the cycle of family dysfunction, establish healthy law-abiding lifestyles, and engage in recovery opportunities.

YOTP was developed in 2005 after juvenile justice practitioners and other professionals took notice that youth leaving Family Court supervision were reoffending and entering the adult system at high rates in Kalamazoo County. YOTP’s primary objective is to reach out to an underserved population of transitioning youth and assist them in meeting their goals in the areas of housing, wellness, education, and employment. This is achieved through the volunteer mentor matches, weekly group meetings, individual case management, providing a working office space for youth, and financial support for participant goals.