A youth diversion program in formation · Maryland
Young people earn their way forward.
MERIT is being built to redirect young people facing minor charges away from the court system and into mentorship and purpose — earning a stipend by raising and giving support to the neighbors and nonprofits who need it most.
Earn it forward.
The idea
Most young people who get into minor trouble don't need a record. They need an adult in their corner, real responsibility, and a way to make it right.
MERIT is designed to work alongside the courts to redirect eligible young people into a program built on accountability through giving. They earn a stipend by raising and distributing donations to other local nonprofits — and they leave with mentorship, confidence, and a clear record.
It isn't leniency. It's earning your way back — by showing up for the community first.
Mentorship, community, and family — the foundation MERIT is built on.
What we do
Five things every young person earns with us.
The name says the work. Each step builds on the one before it.
Mentor
A trusted adult in every young person's corner, every week.
Empower
Real responsibility and real ownership over the choices ahead.
Restore
Make it right through service to the community they're part of.
Invest
An earned stipend that says their effort has real worth.
Teach
Skills that outlast the program — leadership, money, and work.
How it works
A clear path, start to finish.
This is the model we're building — here's how it's designed to work.
Referral
MERIT is designed so eligible youth facing minor charges can be referred in through the courts — who would keep full discretion over who takes part.
Match
We pair the youth with a mentor and a coach, and set goals together from day one.
Give back
They earn a stipend by raising and distributing donations to local nonprofits in need.
Move forward
Complete the program, resolve the charge, and leave with skills and a network.
Why it matters
The need is here, and the gap is real.
The community we serve has no general diversion-to-services track for youth facing minor charges. MERIT is built to fill that gap — and the evidence behind the model is strong.
Juvenile intake complaints in the community we serve in a single recent year — up from 233 two years earlier.
Lower reoffending rates seen in controlled evaluations of restorative diversion programs.
Designed to cost referring agencies nothing — MERIT is built to run on grants and community support.
Find out how you can support
We're just getting started.
Right now we're building our founding group of volunteers and supporters — and hosting a community town hall to share the plan and answer questions. Add your info and we'll keep you posted.