FCFCLA

Dear Community Leader:  (Queridos líderes comunitarios: Lea en Español )

The first, most enduring responsibility of any society is to ensure the well-being of its children.

Sponsored by Faith Communities for Families and Children, Juvenile Justice Sabbath is a call for faith communities to reach our most marginalized youth and to help them know that they are all children of God.

Juvenile Justice Sabbath is an opportunity to unite with other faith communities to raise awareness to the needs of children and families impacted by violent crime and society's systemic resopImportant Juvenile Justice Sabbath Materialsnse to crime.

A key element to help end the cycle of violence in our communities is to address the layers of woundedness that carry on across generations in the lives of many of our youth.  Frequently, when wounds of violence go unattended they lead to rage, hatred and desires of vengeance.  This often translates into victims becoming offenders.  Our prisons are packed with people who were sentenced to life in prison while they were children, some as young as 14 years old.

If we are truly honest we must recognize that in many ways, our faith communities have failed in their responsibility to provide sanctuary for our children.  Juvenile Justice Sabbath is a challenge for faith communities to unite and excercise our moral authority and influence to supplant the retributive model of justice with a restorative one that reconciles and heals persons, faith communities, and society at large. 

On May 22-24, 2009, Faith Communities for Families and Children is encouraging faith-based leaders to draw attention to the plight of children who have been victims of violent crime, as well as incarcerated children by observing the Juvenile Justice Sabbath.

We ask you to endorse the Juvenile Justice Sabbath and participate in a unified call for action.  We hope that you will observe tihs Juvenile Justice Sabbath by engaging your congregation in this issue in whatever way is most appropriate for your community.  We have included an endorsement form (see below) which includes some examples of ways you can participate as well as a fact sheet that provides more insight into this issue.

 Sincerely,

Javier Stauring
Policy Director

Juvenile Justice Sabbath Links and Handouts

Please view "God Cries When We Sentence Children to Die in Prison"

JJ Sabbath Endorsement Form (Print PDF copy) (Sign up on-line) (En Español - Formulario para Endorsar la Iniciativa)

Please post and distribute flyers (En Español - Volante para distribuir)

Children Tried as Adults Fact Sheet, CA

Congregant Sign-up Sheet

Juvenile Justice Fact Sheet, CA

Dozen Things You Can Do

View Endorsing Organizations 

Juma Khutba (Islamic sermon)

JJ Sabbath Prayers

Christian Prayers of the Faithful (Oración en Español)

JJ Sabbath Jewish Prayer

JJ Sabbath Restorative Justice Prayer

Prayer for Children 

Prayer for Justice