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Mission Statement
Detention Ministry provides visitation in Christ to
incarcerated youth at Central Juvenile Hall in East Los
Angeles, in collaboration with, and under the supervision of, the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Restorative Justice and Detention
Ministry.
About Detention Ministry
Formed as a result of the enthusiastic response to the 2004
four-part series on Juvenile Justice coordinated by Holy Family's Social
Concerns Ministry, Detention Ministry is, in reality, a "ministry of presence."
The main thrust of a volunteer's work is to be present to these young people
during a very stressful and often lonely time in their lives and to offer them
the understanding and friendship of a caring adult. While there are occasional opportunities
to provide sacramental catechesis if requested by an individual youth, the
ministry is not primarily a catechetical or evangelization ministry.
On a typical Sunday morning, volunteers from Holy Family and
other parishes in the Archdiocese gather at 8:30 a.m. for Mass with Catholic
youth and, afterwards, visit with small groups in the housing units. On
Wednesday evenings, volunteers are given the opportunity for one-on-one visits
with youth who request a visit from a Catholic volunteer.
Central Juvenile Hall, located near USC medical buildings,
is the oldest of three juvenile halls run by the Los Angeles County Probation
Department. Children incarcerated in the halls range in age from 8 to 18.
Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and must receive a security
clearance from the Probation Department. Training is provided by the
Archdiocesan Office of Restorative Justice.
Volunteer Ministry Opportunity
Contact
Jane Argento
Detention Ministry Coordinator
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