Radius Community Photo Project
One of the projects girls involved with Radius are invited to participate in is developing a
Community Photo Board, illustrating how they experience 'community' in their lives. Here are three examples from August 2010.



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Relationship-based
Services for Girls
About RADIUS:
- WHAT IS IT: Nationally known research-based
program model for girls in the juvenile justice system, gender-specific
with a focus on restorative justice. Currently serves girls in Ramsey and
Hennepin Counties in both community-based and out-of-home settings.
Also provides consulting and training in the area of working with girls.
- BY WHOM: By Amicus, a Minnesota non-profit
501(c)(3) organization with over 40 years of experience in assisting
offenders to take up positive roles in their communities.
- HOW BIG: Currently serves more than 200 girls
per year. Founded 2000.
- APPROACH: Relationship-based services that
support, respect, and empower the whole person. Key tools include
girls-only groups, individual counseling by a licensed therapist,
restorative justice support circles, and referrals.
- GOAL: Girls come to terms with trauma and
mental health issues, develop healthier relationships, link to positive
assets, and are empowered with self-regulation skills and positive
relationships. Girls stay in the community and make progress on their
goal of a positive, healthy and stable lifestyle.
Why RADIUS:
- Girls who get involved in delinquency have
different needs than boys.
- Girls are more motivated by relationships, and
their relationships often contribute to their behavior, good or bad.
- Girls are more likely to have unresolved
trauma, abuse, or mental health issues.
- Girls are frequently resistant to interventions
that work for boys.
- Cold, impassive "consequence" programs often
make girls rebel or withdraw and are ineffective.
- Girls need relationship-based services that
address their main issues and help them radiate strengths from within
despite the challenges of life.
RADIUS Program Elements:
- Girls Group. Weekly girls-only group addresses
trauma and victimization, dealing with emotional pain, managing anger,
accountability for choices, developing healthy relationships, and
making choices to remain safe (15 weeks).
- Individual Counseling. Licensed therapist
provides one-on-one therapy to provide support and help girls address
current concerns.
- Support Circles. Restorative Justice Support
Circles bring girls, families and support people together to have
needed conversations and plan for the future.
- Support and Referral Services. RADIUS staff
empower girls and families to access resources and provide support.
- Consulting and Training. RADIUS provides
training and consulting to professionals interested in improving their
services for girls.
Outcomes for RADIUS:
- 77% of girls complete the program
- 94% success rate for program completers (no new
petitions in the first six months after discharge)
- 100% of completers stayed out of placement for
one year after discharge
- Girls and families report program "finally
addressed the real issues"
- Girls improve school attendance, family
relationships and personal stability
- Many girls stay involved with the program by
choice after completion
- Highly trained (MA/MSW) and committed program
staff maintain ongoing connections with girls and families
How you can get involved
with RADIUS:
- Refer a client to RADIUS services (Ramsey
County probation program, Ramsey County JDC-to-Community program,
Hennepin County, or District 287).
- Support the program with an individual,
corporate or foundation grant.
- Work with RADIUS to train your staff and/or
improve your girls' program model.
- Contract with Amicus to replicate the RADIUS
program in your county.
Radius Staff and Biographies
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Amelia Goodyear, MSW, LGSW
Amelia is a licensed social worker with a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota.
Her educational background includes neuroscience and psychology which enables her to attain a holistic
understanding of her clients. Amelia has experience in the mental health field with both children and
adults. Amelia conducts weekly groups in both Ramsey and Dakota Counties and provides individual therapy
for girls in the Ramsey County detention and community programs.
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Angela Martinez-Deleon, Radius Counselor
Angela has worked with youth for over 10 years. She has worked in a residential group home for
girls, Minneapolis Public Schools and Alternative Learning Centers. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Youth
Development from Concordia University St. Paul. Angela serves girls in Hennepin County, primarily North
Minneapolis and has been with the Amicus Radius program since Fall 2010.
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Carrie Miller, Radius Counselor
Carrie is a trained Restorative Justice circle facilitator, with over five years of circle keeping experience.
She has worked with girls in a variety of capacities for over a decade. With a fluency in Spanish, Carrie has
particular experience working with girls and families in the Latino community. Carrie has worked in the Amicus Radius program since Summer 2010.
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Joal Reeves, Community and Family Connections Coordinator
Joal is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict with a Bachelor's Degree in Peace Studies
with a Social Science Concentration and a focus on Gang Violence. Joal started her career
with Amicus as an Americorps VISTA, and played a key role in developing a formalized Radius
curriculum. She has been with the Amicus Radius program since Fall 2009.
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Sara Underwood, Radius Counselor
Sara is currently working toward a license in marriage and family therapy, and holds a
Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
Her background in art, the social sciences, and psychology has helped to form a creative
and holistic approach/perspective for working with youth. Sara has worked with the Amicus
Radius program since Fall 2010.
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For more information, contact RADIUS Program
Director Amelia Goodyear (612) 348-8570 ext. 33. We look forward to
hearing from you!
Projects are funded/supported, in part, by the
Office of Justice Programs through the Minnesota Department of Public
Safety, Ramsey County and Hennepin County.
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