Giving Back

As an agency with staff in communities across the state, the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) recognizes its role in helping make our communities’ better places to live, work, and play. And as juvenile justice professionals, we also know that when a crime is committed by a young person there is harm to the community and repair is needed – a concept known as Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ). BARJ focuses on repairing the harm, rebuilding relationships, providing accountability and building skills for the young offender, balanced with public protection. Performing community service provides juvenile offenders with the opportunity to fulfill their obligations to make amends for their crimes by giving back to the community through service.

Making a Difference

DJJ staff collaborate with local organizations year-round to help provide community service opportunities to youth who are involved with the agency and are required to provide community service. To further demonstrate our commitment to the communities we serve, in 2009 DJJ established a state-wide community service initiative called Restoring Carolina through Youth Service.

Restoring Carolina has historically coincided with the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, and continues to make a difference in communities across the state each year. Hundreds of participants, including juveniles and DJJ staff and volunteers, conduct community service projects in all 46 counties along with DJJ’s Community Alternatives, Residential Services, and Broad River Road Complex (BRRC).

The goal of this annual result-driven initiative is to make significant contributions to the community, afford an opportunity for DJJ staff to model good citizenship to the youth we serve, and provide an opportunity for our young people to give back to their communities in a positive way.

Restoring Carolina through Youth Service Schedule

Restoring Carolina encompasses DJJ community service activities taking place year-round, with an emphasis in the fall months of September, October, and November. As in the past, DJJ county offices and others within the agency are partnering with local businesses, non-profit agencies, community groups, law enforcement, churches, schools, local food banks, and numerous other organizations statewide. Projects include service at homeless shelters, nursing homes, schools, public gardens, and conducting food and clothing drives, painting and cleaning public buildings, sprucing up gardens, and much more!