In 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published “Strategies for Addressing the DWI Offender: 10 Promising Sentencing Practices.” Victim impact panels were listed as promising practice number seven. The aim of a victim impact panel is to emotionally influence individuals involved in the justice system, to change their attitudes and behaviors regarding drinking and driving. Although many ideas have evolved since 2004, one thing remains constant: an effective victim impact panel should influence an individual on an emotional level to change their attitudes about impaired driving, thus reducing the likelihood of reoffending.
YouImpact was founded and developed by the late Anna Redgate after she experienced the devastating loss of her baby daughter Grace to a previously convicted impaired driver. After devoting years to speaking at live victim impact panels, she understood and observed the difficulties in implementing effective live panels. Above all, she knew that true behavioral change could only come when panel participants were required to be more than disengaged observers -they must be given the opportunity to be active participants.
The agenda of most community-sponsored victim impact panels typically includes an introduction, testimonies about the lives lost (usually from just two to three victims), and a conclusion. The host organization is responsible for finding effective and willing speakers who are able to maintain a non-confrontational approach during the presentation. In addition, the host organization must secure event space, fund staff to manage registration, program attendance, and follow-up with both the speakers and the attendees as needed. This process is then repeated monthly.
At the encouragement of court and probation professionals, Ms. Redgate developed YouImpact as an on-line comprehensive victim impact panel. YouImpact’s content centers on the absolute truth that impaired driving is a 100% preventable crime. The choice to drive impaired is simply that – a choice. We believe that when individuals are granted the ability to truly come to a place of acceptance and responsibility, they are able to make safer choices for themselves, creating a positive ripple effect beyond what they can see.
Participants hear from Micheal, George, and Brenda who discuss individually how they’ve come to view their arrests as a lifesaving event. Lavonne shares her compassion for not only fellow victims and their families but also the community as a whole. Melvin and Billy share how their choices to drive impaired impacted not just themselves, but the lives of those they love. Marvin shares how he lives his life despite brutal injuries inflicted by an impaired driver who attempted to drive away and leave the scene. Monica and Kathy speak as parents who share how each of their sons were impacted by impaired driving. William shares about losing his eye, the crippling medical debt, and the death of the other driver. Finally, Anna shares the story of her daughter Grace.
YouImpact takes no time, money or resources away from the court and probation systems. The participant covers the cost of the program. The success of our paid programming is able to fund free programs for individuals qualifying for indigent status. Program graduates receive their Certificate of Completion instantly upon completion. By providing clients immediate proof of program completion, we hope to give them positive reinforcement and encourage forward momentum. During the registration process, they have the option to provide their probation officer’s email which allows their officer to also receive a copy of their certificate. On our end, we can always send additional copies to the client or an officer of the court at any point.
At the conclusion of the program, graduates are asked to reflect and think about the changes they need to make to positively impact themselves, their families, and their communities going forward. These Self Letters are received in the mail by the graduate six months after the completion of the program. This exercise has proven to be one of the most effective tools for self-reflection.
Ms. Redgate also believed that helping justice-involved individuals change their behaviors means empowering them to move forward positively. This belief led to the creation of the Pay It Forward initiative, available free to participants at the end of the course. The Pay It Forward program allows graduates of YouImpact to create a positive ripple effect in their communities. Graduates can participate in this free program as often as needed and are encouraged to share it with family, friends, and community members. YouImpact’s goal is to increase education and awareness about the dangers of impaired driving as broadly as possible.
The level of support we are able to provide to program participants is unmatched. If a participant needs help with registration, clarification of a quiz question, or someone to provide reassurance and encouragement – we are here for them. When they call for assistance, they always reach a live person no matter the day or time. We make sure that if they send us an email, we respond quickly and follow up with a call if needed. We understand that people and their needs are unique and we strive to meet them where they are.
Since 2011, YouImpact has been serving communities across the nation.
Denise Roy, Program Advocate, at 352-390-8127 / denise@youimpact.com
Tennessee Judicial Outreach Liaison
Judge Donald E. Parish
Phone: 731-225-6386
Email: donaldparish1@yahoo.com
This project is funded through a grant provided by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office.