Boys & Girls Club presenters say diversion and skills programs reduced reoffending among youth; request partnerships to expand services

Representatives from the Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis and the Pivot Reengagement Center described juvenile diversion and adult reengagement programs to the Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Board and sought broader partnership and referral awareness.

Rosalie Roy, director of outreach services for the Boys & Girls Club, said the club’s diversion program accepts pre‑arrest or post‑arrest referrals at the discretion of officers and prosecutors and is voluntary for youth. "What we have found so from the youth that have participated in diversion, 95% of them have not reoffended or come into contact with law enforcement again," Roy said. She added staff track referrals and participation and that "96 percent of them complete an accountability agreement," which the program uses to structure individualized services.

Roy told the board the program has been operating since 2021 across five IMPD districts; she reported about 1,300 referrals since the program began and just over 200 youths who actually enrolled and participated. She said the program offers a year of free club membership, transportation services and extracurricular opportunities such as college tours and cultural outings to support engagement.

Brody Palmer, director of the Pivot Reengagement Center, described workforce and training cohorts for older participants (ages roughly 16–35). Palmer said the center runs paid, short‑term cohorts that lead to nationally recognized credentials — examples the presenters cited included MIG welding certification, OSHA‑10 and culinary arts — and that graduates receive stipends (the program described $150 per week paid at program completion and additional barrier‑reduction stipends in later cohorts). Palmer said the programs are offered with felony‑friendly employers and that the center provides transportation and post‑graduation follow‑up at 30, 60 and 90 days.

Both presenters said their work is funded largely by grants and local donors and that they seek additional partnerships and referral pathways with law enforcement, courts and county programs. The board asked clarifying questions about program length, funding and referral mechanics; presenters said diversion is true diversion (no automatic arrest consequence) while the evening reporting/mandated programs operate under court orders.

Board members and presenters discussed outreach and public awareness to increase uptake of voluntary referrals. Community Corrections staff said they will share presentation materials with the board and court administration to broaden referral awareness. The presenters requested the board consider partnership and referral pathways, particularly to expand outreach and increase participation among youth and adults who could benefit from training and diversion services.