Recent news

Philadelphia, PA - May 18, 2023 - Mural Arts Philadelphia and Performing Statistics, in collaboration with Juvenile Law Center, Care, Not Control, and the Youth Art and Self Empowerment Project, are thrilled to announce the launch of Freedom Constellations, a groundbreaking project that combines monumental art installations, augmented reality animations, and immersive exhibitions to envision a future where Philadelphia's youth are free, safe, and thriving.

On Wednesday, the Juvenile Law Center’s annual Leadership Prize was awarded to outstanding individuals working in the field of law, government, the arts, media, entertainment, sports, business, or any other sector — who are fighting for the rights and well-being of youth in the child welfare and justice systems.

Dr. Peter Leone is Professor Emeritus of Special Education in the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education at the University of Maryland, and serves as a member of the Juvenile Services Education Program Board for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools for 12 years. Dr. Leone has spent almost 50 years working to support the well-being and educational rights of youth with lived experience in the child welfare and juvenile legal systems.

James Baldwin’s quote, “Our crown has already been bought and paid for. All we have to do is wear it” was interpreted by Shaiheed Days, Youth Move Philadelphia Coordinator, as “Our experience is already, you know. They’ve already spoken for themselves that we were the ones for folks to listen to.”

Dr. Amanda Alexander is the founding Executive Director of the Detroit Justice Center and is currently a Senior Research Scholar at the University of Michigan Law School. Holding both a PhD in International History from Columbia University and a JD from Yale Law School, Dr. Alexander is committed to ending mass incarceration.

Washington, D.C. (April 20, 2023) – Youth advocacy groups today celebrated the release of a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) “Dear Colleague” letter encouraging states and localities to eliminate fines and fees imposed on youth in the juvenile legal system. The new guidance revises and updates a 2016 letter the DOJ issued regarding fines and fees imposed on adults and a 2017 advisory about juvenile fines and fees.

When Philadelphia passed a bill in December to make permanent a 10 p.m. curfew for anyone younger than 18, city officials said it would help keep kids safe and out of trouble. But James Aye has seen otherwise.