Evanston-based Juvenile Justice Initiative celebrates 25 years of fighting for incarcerated children

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) -- There was an important milestone Thursday for an organization that works to ensure justice for young people in trouble with the law.

The Juvenile Justice Initiative, based in Evanston, is celebrating 25 years of fighting for incarcerated children, teens and young adults, while helping to give them a second chance.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Eric Anderson was grateful to land a job at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation.

As a pre-release case manager, he helps prepare those in jail since their youth for the real world with peace circle keeper training

"Allows for people to share their authentic selves in a way that feels safe, and honestly to deal with some of the traumas and some of the things that have happened to them, and things they've been involved with," Anderson said.

Anderson was locked up at 15 for murder. He served more than 27 years.

SEE ALSO: After end of cash bail in IL, early research shows impact less than many hoped or feared

"I believe sending people to prison causes trauma, and hurt people hurt people. I believe I step in and try to break that and heal. And the truth is healed people heal people," Anderson said.

"We incarcerate children as young as 12 and 13 years old. That's not going help anybody. Certainly, it's not going help communities; it's not going to help families. And, most of all, it's not going to help them," said Julie Anderson, a Juvenile Justice Initiative board member.

Julie Anderson is Eric Anderson's mother.

"Ninety percent of the people in prison are coming home to be your neighbor; so, it behooves us to help them anyway we can," Julie Anderson said.

"I've got some tools there with you guys, and I build on that on my way out. And that is the opposite of what they would otherwise do. It's literally the opposite. That's a better world," Eric Anderson said.

As JJI prepares to celebrate the achievements of their advocacy and those youthfully incarcerated reclaiming their lives, Anderson prepares for his next peace circle, hoping to help others as he was.