On this episode you will get an update on current projects at the Michigan Center for Youth Justice, along with what's next for future projects. You will hear from Jen Peacock, Policy Director, about current legislation that is being considered or recently passed that will impact juvenile justice in Michigan. Lastly, you will hear from Denita Dorsey, Outreach & Advocacy Manager, who will give details on the upcoming Voices of Justice youth fellowship program that will welcome its second cohort in October 2025.

To keep up to date on all projects, news, and events, sign up for the MCYJ newsletter at miyouthjustice.org.

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On this episode of The Table: Conversations on Youth Justice, we will be speaking with a young person who was part of the first cohort of the MCYJ Voices of Justice Youth Fellowship program. We will be talking about how the fellowship started, what opportunities it provided for youth, and the details of the final community projects the youth completed.

The application for the next cohort will open soon! If you are interested or know a young person who would be a great addition to the program, visit the MCYJ website for more information.

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In this episode of The Table, Macayla and Katie explore the unique challenges facing girls in the juvenile justice system with special guest Dr. Jodi Peterson, professor at Michigan State University and head of Peterson Research Consultants. While girls make up a growing share of juvenile arrests, their offenses are often nonviolent, and many enter the system due to experiences of trauma, abuse, poverty, and systemic bias—especially girls of color and LGBTQIA+ youth.

Dr. Peterson discusses how the juvenile justice system was historically designed with boys in mind, leading to programs and assessments that often fail to address girls’ needs. The conversation highlights the importance of gender-responsive, trauma-informed programming and the need for improved data collection that reflects the diversity of youth in the system. Tailored approaches that consider gender identity, race, and sexual orientation are key to improving outcomes and ensuring more equitable treatment.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of topics that could be triggering to some. Listener discretion is advised.

Listen to this insightful conversation today at www.miyouthjustice.org/thetable or wherever you find your podcasts!

Related resources:

Read the OJJDP study

Learn more about Dr. Peterson's work

Learn more about our work

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Welcome back to The Table! In this month's episode, Katie and Macayla are diving into a critical and timely issue: Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP) in Michigan. We’re joined by Jose Burgos from the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth to unpack the historical context of JLWOP, the racial disparities that define its use, and the status of the pending legislation in Michigan.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of rape and homicide. Listener discretion is advised.

Tune in to learn more about the fight to end juvenile life without parole in Michigan—and how you can be part of the change. Listen today at www.miyouthjustice.org/thetable or wherever you find your podcasts!

Related resources:

Learn more about the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth

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How can workforce development programs create brighter futures for at-risk and justice-involved youth? In this episode of The Table, we explore the power of youth-driven career pathways with Lori Roddy, Executive Director of Neutral Zone, and a special young adult guest who has participated in one of their programs.

Neutral Zone, a youth-focused nonprofit in Ann Arbor, provides creative spaces, mentorship, and workforce training through programs like Future Corps, a 10-year transitional initiative designed to help young people successfully navigate adulthood. We also discuss how Michigan’s expanded Child Care Fund can support programs like these, ensuring more young people have access to career opportunities and community-based support.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation at www.miyouthjustice.org/thetable or wherever you find your podcasts!

Related resources:

Learn more about Neutral Zone

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In this episode of The Table, we dive into the challenges and opportunities surrounding youth re-entry in Michigan. How do young people transition back into their communities after time in a detention or residential facility? What support systems are in place to help them succeed?

Joining us is Dr. Paul Elam from the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) to discuss their Juvenile Re-Entry Program. Tune in as we unpack the importance of wraparound services, the role of community-based care, and how recent juvenile justice reforms in Michigan are shaping the future of youth re-entry. Plus, hear Dr. Elam’s insights on what more needs to be done to ensure every young person has a fair chance at a fresh start.

Listen now at www.miyouthjustice.org/thetable or wherever you find your podcasts!

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We are thrilled to bring you a brand new season of The Table! This season, Macayla and Katie will dive even further into conversations surrounding juvenile justice efforts, and the inspiring advocates behind them. Topics range from hearing a powerful success story from a workforce development program alum to learning what makes an effective re-entry program for justice-impacted youth and more! Each episode will offer a new perspective on ways we can support our young people across the state.

We invite you to listen to our premiere episode, as Macayla and Katie reflect on the topics discussed during Season 3 of The Table. Later in the episode, listeners will hear from Jen Peacock, MCYJ’s Policy Director, and Denita Dorsey, MCYJ’s Outreach and Advocacy Manager, as they give exciting updates about current projects at MCYJ.

Listen now at www.miyouthjustice.org/thetable or wherever you find your podcasts!

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We’ve got a very special episode of The Table that you don’t want to miss! This month, Macayla and Katie offer an exclusive update on what’s in store for MCYJ in the coming months. Plus, we’re thrilled to have Denita Dorsey, Outreach and Advocacy Manager, joining us to offer a dive deep into our first Voices of Youth Justice fellowship program. Listen now at www.miyouthjustice.org/thetable or wherever you find your podcasts!

• Visit our website to learn more about our work

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