Youth Represent Inc

YOUTH REPRESENTS MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE AFFORDED EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO RECLAIM LIVES OF DIGNITY,SELF-FULFILLMENT, AND ENGAGEMENT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MORE.

COMMUNITY-LAWYERING MODELOUR FLAGSHIP COMMUNITY-LAWYERING MODEL MEETS CLIENTS WHERE THEY ARE AND COMBINES DIRECT LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL MATTERS, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOPS FOR YOUTH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR STAFF AT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. WE PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS NEW YORK TO OFFER ON-SITE LEGAL SERVICES WHEN OUR CLIENTS FACE EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, EVICTION, SCHOOL SUSPENSION, SUMMONSES, AND OTHER CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LEGAL ISSUES. IN 2021, WE SERVED 431 YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH DIRECT REPRESENTATION, AND REACHED 1,399 THROUGH 125 WORKSHOPS. WE OPENED 321 CASES IN EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, EDUCATION, FAMILY, AND CRIMINAL LAW; PROVIDED 165 PIECES OF LEGAL ADVICE AND COUNSEL; AND REVIEWED CRIMINAL HISTORIES FOR 83 YOUTH SO THEY COULD HAVE AN ACCURATE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WILL APPEAR ON BACKGROUND CHECKS.POLICY REFORM WE ADVANCE A REFORM AGENDA TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES AND JUSTICE FOR YOUTH, WHILE CENTERING THE VOICES OF JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH. OUR YOUTH JUSTICE & OPPORTUNITIES ACT WOULD EXPAND RECORD SEALING AND ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO AGE 25. WE ARE FOCUSED ON CENTERING THE LEADERSHIP OF DIRECTLY IMPACTED YOUNG PEOPLE AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE CAMPAIGN AND BUILDING THE MOVEMENT FOR YOUTH JUSTICE IN NYC. AT THE STATE AND CITY LEVEL, WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR A PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO GUN VIOLENCE, PUSHING FOR INVESTMENT IN YOUTH WHILE PROTECTING RAISE THE AGE AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES. IN 2021, WE LAUNCHED CITY DREAMERS ADVOCACY CAMP TO TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE ADVOCACY SKILLS SO THEY CAN LEAD CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE ALSO HELPED SECURE THE PASSAGE OF THE LEGISLATION THAT EXPANDS YOUTHFUL OFFENDER STATUS PROTECTION, ENDS CRIMINALIZATION OF YOUTH BY RAISING THE AGE OF FAMILY COURT PROSECUTION TO 12, AND ELIMINATES THE USE OF PEPPER SPRAY AGAINST MINORS. AS PART OF THE YOUTH JUSTICE RESEARCH COLLABORATIVE, WE RELEASED FINDINGS FROM OUR SURVEY OF YOUTH JUSTICE SERVICE PROVIDERS ON THE IMPACT OF COVID-19.STRATEGIC LITIGATIONWE ADVANCE STRATEGIC CLASS AND INDIVIDUAL PLAINTIFF LITIGATION TO REFORM EMPLOYER PRACTICES THAT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST CLIENTS BASED ON THEIR CRIMINAL HISTORIES AND RACE. ACHIEVING SYSTEMIC JUSTICE REQUIRES US TO SECURE FINANCIAL AWARDS THAT REPRESENT OUR CLIENTS LOST INCOME, AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENTS IN EMPLOYERS HIRING PRACTICES FOR JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH OF COLOR AND TO HOLD THESE CORPORATIONS TO ACCOUNT, PUBLICLY, FOR THEIR WRONGFUL ACTIONS. IN 2021, WE FILED TWO NEW CLASS ACTION CASES AGAINST LARGE CORPORATIONS ALLEGING ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION, WHICH SECURED DIRECT JOB OFFERS AND FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FOR HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUALS WRONGLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, AND MANDATES THAT EMPLOYERS CEASE THEIR ILLEGAL HIRING PRACTICES.