Get Involved: Apply to Our Youth Advocate Programs!

Above: Juveniles for Justice Youth Advocates during their trip to Washington, D.C. in 2015.

Juvenile Law Center is currently accepting applications for young people who have been involved in the juvenile justice or child welfare system to join our youth engagement programs, Juveniles for Justice and Youth Fostering Change! See below for more information on being a Youth Advocate and to download an application.

What are Juveniles for Justice and Youth Fostering Change?

Juveniles for Justice is a group of young people, or Youth Advocates, who have been involved with the juvenile justice system. Youth Fostering Change is a group of young people, or Youth Advocates, who have been involved in the child welfare system. Both groups work to create change that improves the lives of youth who have been in the system.

What do these groups do?

Each year, Youth Advocates learn about the juvenile justice or child welfare systems and, based on this information and their own experiences, create a project to improve the system. As part of their campaign, Youth Advocates present their experiences, opinions, and project to different officials and workers such as judges, lawyers, probation officers, and policymakers to promote their ideas for change.

How often do Youth Advocates meet?

Youth Advocates meet once a week from September to June. Sessions last two hours. Youth Advocates are required to attend and participate in each session.

Are Youth Advocates paid?

Yes. Youth are paid for each session and receive stipends for additional work.

How do I become a Youth Advocate?

Fill out one of the applications below and drop it off or mail it to Cathy Moffa, Juvenile Law Center, 1315 Walnut Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. You can also email your application to [email protected] or fax it to 215-625-2808. Applications are due by Monday, August 31st.

Examples of Past Projects

Juveniles for Justice - "Improving Educational Outcomes for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System"

During their 2014-2015 project year, Juveniles for Justice focused on the educational needs of youth in the juvenile justice system.

The Youth Advocates identified problems that they experienced while they were in the juvenile justice system – from being forced into alternative schools to the low quality education provided in juvenile justice facilities to difficulties transitioning from juvenile facilities back into their neighborhood schools – and created a series of recommendations to address these issues.

Youth Fostering Change - "A Home of Our Own: Youth Recommendations to Reduce Youth Homelessness for Youth Aging Out of the Child Welfare System"

From 2014-2015, Youth Fostering Change focused on the issue of homelessness of youth aging out of the child welfare system. Our advocates
recognized that most of them had either experienced homelessness or were in fear of becoming homeless at some point in their young adult life. They decided to create recommendations to reduce youth homelessness, including: increasing supportive, permanent adult connections for older youth in care; more comprehensive transition planning; and more supportive housing programs for youth leaving care. Download a pdf of A Home of Our Own: Youth Recommendations to Reduce Homelessness for Youth Aging Out of the Child Welfare System here.

Our youth advocates also worked in collaboration with video production experts at Temple University's University Community Collaborative to create a video to raise awareness about the face of youth homelessness.

[video:https://youtu.be/iXD6mrDgb3s]

For more information on Juveniles for Justice or Youth Fostering Change, contact Cathy Moffa at [email protected].