Coalition for Juvenile Justice Brings Together Young Juvenile Justice Leaders

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By Katie Mercier
CJJ Digital and Member Communications Manager

The Coalition for Juvenile Justice convened youth leaders at the 2013 Youth Summit: “Empowering Young Leaders for Juvenile Justice Reform.” The Summit, held August 2-3 in Washington, DC, was geared towards cultivating and empowering a young body of juvenile justice advocates and attracted more than 100 participants from 22 states. The Summit also expanded CJJ membership, as we welcome sixteen new members-at-large to our family.

Representative Robert. C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) opened the Summit by emphasizing the need to invest in education and prevention programs for youth. On Friday evening, OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee echoed Mr. Scott’s sentiment when he met with CJJ members during the National Youth Committee strategic planning session. Mr. Listenbee listened intently to the attendees and welcomed them to contact his office to voice their concerns. Emphasizing the importance of youth engagement to OJJDP, Administrator Listenbee left the young CJJ members feeling encouraged and inspired.

Symone Sanders, the Coalition for Juvenile Justice’s National Youth Chair roused the young audience and challenged all youth leaders to be “trailblazers” in the juvenile justice reform movement.

To get more involved in CJJ and the National Youth Committee, contact Alexandra Staropoli, Esq., Associate Director of Government and Field Relations at staropoli@juvjustice.org or 202-467-0864 ext. 109.