ICARE

Recent accomplishments include a campaign to get more bus hubs in areas of low-employment to areas of great job growth. In the early 2000s we won a large bus hub that connects the North and South side of town so people can get to work without multiple transfers. This bus hub is still in existence and used by hundreds of people a week.

In 2013, ICARE pressed the County Sheriff, Superintendent and State Attorney to implement a Restorative Justice program proven in several large cities to reduce repeat youth offenses in the schools and neighborhoods. Today, 180 schools are using Restorative Justice and 11,000 youth went through the program last year. In one year, out-of-school suspensions have decreased by 25%. In addition, four Neighborhood Accountability Boards have opened to divert nonviolent youth from jail. This restorative justice method brings the victim and offender together and allows neighbors to decide on restitution outside of jail. This program has served 500 youth and 97% of never reoffended.

In 2017, ICARE challenged our Sheriff to stop arresting nonviolent youth for silly mistakes like stealing socks or drinking underage. Instead, we wanted him to issue civil citations to 90% of eligible youth under state statute. He agreed. Since our action, civil citations have doubled and over 80% are now receiving civil citations and avoiding a lifelong criminal record.

In 2010, 1,200 ICARE leaders assembled to challenge the Early Learning Coalition and the Jacksonville Children’s Commission to prioritize accessibility for full-day pre-kindergarten care by allocating approximately $2.1 million dollars toward wrap-around funding for low-income working families. To date, 1,000 more students are registered for quality voluntary pre-kindergarten programs with almost 300 more families receiving full-day vouchers.