The Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF) in Camarillo raised more than $6,000 to be divided among local groups supporting victims of crimes and others in need.
As part of April’s National Crime Victims Rights Week (NCVRW) activities, Parole Agent Tracee Agee and psychologist Dr. Deborah Leong spearheaded a restorative justice project involving youth. Using a knot technique, they made over 250 beanie caps.
The beanies will help people in the Ventura County Homeless shelter, many of them also victims. Staff from the shelter tirelessly help those going through difficult times. They were extremely grateful to the youth for their donation.
“Fundraisers held over the past year by the institution’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Committee augmented the Ventura Victim Fund to approximately $6,000,” said Emily Evans, Parole Agent and Victim Services Coordinator.
The money was divided among:
- Coalition for Family Harmony
- Ventura County Family Justice Center Foundation, Inc.
- Parents of Murdered Children-Ventura County
- Interface Children & Family Services
- Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP)
Treatment interventions to facilitate healing include working on restorative justice projects throughout the year, such as helping victims of crime.
These activities provide a creative way for youth to tap into their humanity and give back. VYCF Staff and youth take part in fundraisers to give back to the community.