REACH NORTH GEORGIA

Flowchart diagram of the Juvenile Justice Highway with stages including arrest, charge, diversion, and various judicial processes, encircled by a red ring labeled 'Incarceration', 'Re-Arrest', and 'Conviction'.

The juvenile justice system is like a highway—every stop has a toll: court, probation, incarceration. Taxpayers pay the bill, but the youth pay the deepest price. And the farther they travel down that road, the harder it becomes to ever get off.

That’s why intervention matters now, not later.

The need for Diversion

We partner with the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide meaningful alternatives to incarceration through our Diversion Services program. Each student receives a customized plan supported by case management, one-on-one coaching, mentorship, classroom learning, leadership development, counseling, and career training. We also walk with recently paroled youth and young adults through our Eleos Employment re-entry program, offering coaching and mentoring. In addition, we collaborate with ministries across Georgia to build structured support systems that help youth thrive upon release.

Highway scene with overhead green directional signs indicating exits for Gainesville, Cleveland, and Jefferson, with vehicles on the road.

When youth are incarcerated at 17 or younger, 71% are rearrested within three years. Light Work exists to change that—providing diversion and support so students don’t return to the juvenile justice system.