Volunteers sought for new Brooks Youth Justice Committee

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on September 13, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

The community of Brooks is establishing a Youth Justice Committee and is seeking volunteers who work with youth, families and justice partners to collaborate and help guide youth who find themselves on the wrong side of Jonny Law.

In Alberta, youth justice committees provide youth aged 12-17 who enter the court system with minor charges, a “second-chance” to right their wrongs and help fix their record.

According to the province, these committees use restorative practices through open dialogue and community-based resolutions.

“These committees support healing, responsibility and positive change,” reads a description of the program.

Working with the young persons families, the legal system and the community, volunteers help guide the process and provide meaningful resources.

Referrals for the program can come from a law enforcement officer and through the court system.

If a young offender has successfully completed their youth justice committee program, the law enforcement investigating officer will not lay charges and the Crown will withdraw the charges.

Brooks RCMP say the program is about giving young people who have made a mistake, a second chance, while still holding them accountable for their actions.

“Through open dialogue and restorative practices, Youth Justice Committees support, healing, responsibility, positive change,” officers list.

Anyone interested in learning more about the committee is invited to attend an information session at the Brooks Fire Hall at 7 p.m. on Sept. 22.

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