Dane County Timebank

Restorative justice youth courts help divert high school students from the juvenile justice system, while holding them accountable for their actions. Instead of going before a municipal court judge, young persons who commit municipal offenses are given the option of having their case reviewed by a jury of their peers. Youth court jurors review the cases, then propose alternative sentences that address any harm that was caused and put in place positive supports and skill-building opportunities.

Youth courts have both improved the climate in Madison’s high schools and provide young people - disproportionately youth of color - a positive alternative to a juvenile court appearance, often the first step to a criminal record.

Since their founding in 2006, youth courts have significantly reduced campus incidents resulting in police citations, such as fighting, vandalism, and coming to school under the influence. Youth courts have been so successful that the TimeBank is currently running youth courts in all four Madison high schools, as well as two community-based locations, one in South Madison and one in East Madison, as part of a city-wide initiative.

Who We Are:

Now in its 11th year, the Dane County TimeBank (DCTB) has built a network of some 2,700 individuals and 180 organizations who exchange services and skills to build community, strengthen capacity, and to help each other to improve quality of living. In timebanking, everyone's time is valued equally. Services exchanged include helping neighbors cover basic needs, skilled trades, professional services, as well as creative talents. TimeBank membership is open to individuals and organizations throughout Dane County.

Timebankng is also a tool to build programs that provide solutions for challenges identified at the community level. Community members can become involved in projects as a way to make connections in the TimeBank, while supporting vital community services. DCTB currently runs restorative justice youth courts, inclusion activities for persons with disabilities, community garden, energy conservation, wellness, and food security initiatives, and a medical transportation service. In our youth court program, juror, community members, schools, and other partner organizations earn timebank hours for contributing to the project. It is this connection to the TimeBank that allows our youth court to be creative and individually-tailored when working to support youth who opt to participate in the program.