we

fight. advocate. hope.

So young people can count on us from jail,
to court, to neighborhood.

Our Mission

Our mission is to break cycles of incarceration and build an equitable justice system by providing young people with individualized advocacy,  mentorship, and opportunities to grow, thrive, and lead.

our impact

Radical change, one youth at a time

750+

young people whose lives have intersected with the city’s jail system are served each year; that's 17,000 total engagements with young people, for periods averaging over 20 months.

78%

of youth sentenced have had their sentences reduced or have been released from jail as a direct result of our intensive mitigation and court advocacy.

175

new job placements every year, and our career skills workshop has a 95% graduation rate.

800+

instructional hours per year are provided by our Center for Education, with a 9-1 student to teacher ratio and individualized support from tutors and advocacy staff.

100%

of our Youth Mentor staff are YJN program alumni, uniquely positioned to lead and support their younger peers.

7,000

connections to holistic support each year: that means calling grandparents, sitting in court with siblings, waiting with aunts for the bus at Rikers — anything we can do to strengthen a young person’s support system.

Comprehensive Support
Justice Advocacy
Building Independence
Space to Thrive
Community Leadership
Network of Care
Youth Justice Network
Comprehensive Support
Justice Advocacy
Building Independence
Space to Thrive
Community Leadership
Network of Care
Comprehensive Support
Justice Advocacy
Building Independence
Space to Thrive
Community Leadership
Network of Care

Resilient young people, relentless advocates

[Youth Justice Network] aren't trying to make you better for the moment, they're trying to make you better for the long term.

Youth Justice Network

Join Our Fight

Stand in solidarity with our mission to break cycles of inequality and fight systemic racism by giving young people the opportunities they have been denied. Join our community, and together we can make a difference.