Youth Justice Initiative presents program results and asks city to sustain wraparound services
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Summary
Youth Justice Initiative staff and program graduates described services from pre‑court diversion to academic support and said the program spends about $1,700 per young person; council and mayor praised the program.
The West Des Moines City Council heard a presentation from the Youth Justice Initiative on Feb. 17, with staff and program participants describing prevention, diversion and academic‑support work in the city and nearby neighborhoods.
The presentation, led by Ashley Swinton, identified services that include pre‑court diversion, restorative justice circles, a study‑table program, family classes and the TechConnect work‑readiness program. Swinton said the initiative is entering its seventh year at a Section 8 housing complex in West Des Moines and that the program’s operating budget works out to about $1,700 per young person served.
Swinton described recurring on‑site programming: three summer days per week, two evenings per week during summer, a weekly Monday program during the school year and a study‑table program that serves students in grades 5–12 with meals and academic help. Youth speakers showed a short video and delivered first‑person accounts of program impact.
Former YJI participant Graham Kenworthy said the program helped him raise his GPA from the low 1.0s to a 3.1, connected him with apprenticeship opportunities and aided his path to employment. Another participant, who identified themself as Banksy, described restorative justice circles and family classes that helped address root causes of youth misconduct.
Graham’s mother, Mara Kenworthy, told the council the program engaged the whole family, improved relationships and provided ongoing support for her son’s recovery and growth.
Swinton told the council the study‑table students attend roughly 50 of 60 sessions annually, receive a hot meal and two hours of supervised academic time. She said some young people remain in the program for six months or longer; others stay more than a year.
Mayor Russ Trimble and multiple council members publicly thanked YJI staff, volunteers and the young people who spoke. Trimble noted YJI director Jennifer Hahn will be recognized at the West Des Moines Chamber’s March 5 dinner.
The presentation concluded with council praise for the program’s outcomes and volunteers and a request that the community continue support and nominations for youth leadership programs.
