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I write this today as a voice that has emerged from the depths of the juvenile justice and foster care systems. For over a decade, I have been part of Juvenile Law Center, advocating for change as a youth advocate. My journey began in the city of Philadelphia, where I grew up entangled in the very systems I now work tirelessly to transform.

The Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice Task Force released its Final Report two years ago.  This report highlighted the many issues plaguing Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system and contained 35 recommendations for reform.  Youth, their families, and advocates around the Commonwealth supported these recommendations. 

For nearly seven years I have worked in communications on the issues of youth, juvenile justice, and the legal system. In that time, I have had the distinct pleasure of getting to know individual young people who have been ensnared in the system, and heard their stories. Far too often, when media covers these youth and their stories, they focus only on the shocking, the salacious, the violent – an angle which likely not coincidentally drives clicks, traffic and revenue to their sites.

Juvenile Law Center’s Youth Advocacy Program collaborates with youth to engage in advocacy and direct action that protects youth rights, ensures their well-being and advances freedoms so all youth can thrive. Each year, Juvenile Law Center works with approximately 25 youth and 20 program alumni.

This blog aims to celebrate the young achievers of the future and explore ways to support their aspirations and dreams.