Long-time North Lawndale residents who were committed started the NLJJC. They wanted to keep youth out of the juvenile justice system by creating positive opportunities for their successful development. Their advocacy work was initially focused on the North Lawndale DMC project, and quickly grew to encompass restorative justice as a means to address juvenile court referrals, the “school to jail pipeline,” and community conflicts. The NLJJC has been supported through a successful collaboration of community volunteers, churches, community organization and service providers, academic institutions, and juvenile justice systems providers. There are various groups and organizations involved in the collaboration, they include: Sinai Community Institute, the Community Justice for Youth Institute, The Wiley Resource Center, Northwestern University School of Law, University of Chicago School of Social Administration, Jane Addams School of Social Work, 10th District Chicago Police Department, the Juvenile Intervention and Support Center (JICS), Department of Children and Youth Services (CYS), the Illinois Juvenile Justice Initiative, Illinois Balanced and Restorative Justice Initiative, Juvenile Court Probation, United Baptist Church, DePaul University Egan Urban Center, Lawndale Christian Church, Cook County Clerk of The Circuit Courts, Cook County State’s Attorney office, Harmony Health Care, State Senator Rick R. Hendon, State Representative Annaeztte Collins, and Eyes On Austin.