Findings from the 2025 Evaluation by Impact Justice
We are rewriting the story of how our community stewards our young people— moving from punishment to healing, accountability, and community connection.
We offer young people an alternative to court processing by connecting them with community-based organizations that understand their experiences and culture. Instead of entering the legal system, youth receive support that helps them grow, repair harm, and stay connect to their communities.
The newly released 2025 Evaluation Report, conducted by Impact Justice, confirms what communities have long known: healing-centered approach to situations of harm works.
What the Evaluation Found
Drawing on three years of data, interviews, and community insights, the report reveals that RCP is making measurable progress toward reducing youth incarceration and promoting well-being.
RCP provides holistic, self- determined individualized support
Youth and community members who experienced harm received comprehensive wraparound services, from housing and food assistance to job placement, therapy, and mentorship — all tailored to each participant's individual goals.
Healing and accountability go hand in hand
Accountability is treated not as punishment but as a relationship built on trust and reflection. By fostering safety and consistency, RCP helps youth take responsibility and repair harm in meaningful ways.
Trust and family partnership drive engagement
Community navigators, many with lived experience, are the backbone of RCP’s success. Their relationships of care and respect keep young people engaged long-term. Families are also involved as partners in growth, reinforcing accountability at home.
Basic needs are the foundation of change
Youth whose basic needs were met were far more likely to stay engaged (84%) and achieve positive developmental outcomes. This shows that stability enables growth and when your basic needs are net you have space to re-engage school, heal, address behavior, live, and contribute to our community in a positive way.
93% of youth and 98% of harmed parties reported satisfaction with the program.
69% of youth achieved at least one of their self-determined goals.
89% of youth reported a stronger sense of connection and belonging.
84% of youth stayed engaged after two quarters when basic needs were met.
The evaluation also highlights areas for growth. Our urgent rollout meant limited infrastructure and coordination challenges early on.
The report recommends:
Hiring a dedicated Consortium Coordinator to strengthen alignment across partner organizations.
Expanding eligibility to include youth with more serious offenses, following research that shows they often benefit most from restorative approaches.
Improving data systems to track outcomes and measure impact consistently.
Our priority is ensuring that the youth we are serving continue to receive the best possible support, from those best able to provide that.
Black and Brown youth remain overrepresented in the legal system — facing harsher outcomes for similar behaviors as their white peers. RCP offers a different path, rooted in racial equity, community care, and evidence-based practice.
Let’s continue to invest in the ways that work, instead of investing in traditional prosecution of our young people that causes more harm than good.
