Did you know that in addition to our school-based programs, CISCC also coordinates community-based programs to support youth beyond the classroom?
When a young person makes a mistake, it doesn’t have to define their future.
Since 2011, our Community Service & Restitution (CSR) program, led by Coordinator Lydia Miller, has been reducing repeat juvenile offenses by pairing accountability with opportunity. Each year, CISCC coordinates services for roughly 50 Chatham County youth through this transformative program.
Through structured, supervised community service, youth who are adjudicated or diverted from Juvenile Court complete meaningful service hours in partnership with the Department of Juvenile Justice, School Resource Officers, and community partners. But CSR is more than “serving time.” It’s about restoring trust, rebuilding confidence, and learning responsibility in real-world settings.
CSR partners with 23 worksites across Chatham County, where students:
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Work alongside caring adults
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Build job-readiness and pro-social skills
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Engage in meaningful civic service
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Pay restitution when required
Each youth follows an Individual Plan of Care tailored to their needs. The goal isn’t just consequences — it’s growth.
Second chances aren’t soft on accountability. They’re smart on outcomes. With structure, supervision, and support, young people can change direction — and change their future.