In 2004, as a third-year law student at Loyola Chicago I knew I wanted to fight for children’s rights but had no idea what the world had to offer. I came across a posting for the Zubrow fellowship at Juvenile Law Center.
Some days it seems like it was only yesterday, some days I feel the decades behind me. I can still remember the planning meetings around Judy Chomsky’s kitchen table — to be clear, Judy was the only one among us who actually had a kitchen table, not to mention other actual pieces of furniture — as we four soon-to-be graduates of Temple Law School hatched an idea to start a non-profit law firm for children.
As I approach my retirement, I am facing two directions. I am looking back over the past near decade that I have served as CEO of Juvenile Law Center, and I am looking forward to Riya Saha Shah leading the office as the next CEO, our 50th Anniversary and the work ahead in 2025.
On October 20 and 21, Juvenile Law Center hosted our third national Debt Free Justice convening in Berkeley, California with partners from the National Center for Youth Law and Berkeley Law School’s Policy Advocacy Clinic. The convening gathered over fifty advocates from around the country working to eliminate fees and fines in the juvenile legal system.
October is Youth Justice Action Month, an opportunity to elevate youth in the justice system, the issues they face, and their incredible resilience. On October 2nd, Juvenile Law Center launched the Broken Promises: Futures Denied, the second edition of their powerful Broken Bridges report that has been used by policymakers, state agencies, and others to help guide their work.
It is with the deepest sadness and heaviest of hearts that we write to share that Bob Schwartz passed on October 8, 2024. Our loss is immeasurable, our world is diminished.
Dear Friends and Colleagues, it is with both sadness and gratitude that I share the news that after nearly 10 years at Juvenile Law Center, Susan Mangold will retire from her role as CEO.
Part of the reason I entered into the system was because my parents passed away. Being in the system after my parents died was tough, and I didn’t have the proper support. Living in a group home, I was surrounded by strangers and people who didn’t have my best interest at heart.
Sign up to get breaking news from Juvenile Law Center.
