Change The System National Youth Justice Awareness Month State-by-State Events
|
October is National Youth Justice Awareness month! The purpose of National Youth Justice 5K Run/Walk month is to raise awareness about youth prosecuted in the adult criminal justice system. Over the past three years, events have been held across the country. These events have all been successful in raising awareness and participation in important youth justice issues across the country. Below are links to information to help you plan your event:
› Colorado
Event - 5k Run/Walk Cheesman Park in Denver was the site of the first annual 5k Run/Walk for Youth Justice in Colorado on October 15th hosted by the Colorado Juvenile Defender Coalition. One-hundred and thirty-eight runners/walkers participated alongside of several dozen spectators. With cool temperatures and infectious excitement, first place finisher Knud Hermansen from Boulder came in at 18:53, with second place Matt Young finishing in 20:10 and third place Jay Garcia in at 20:29. In the women's race, first place finisher and fifth place overall Lisa Kingseed came in at 23:19. Second place Leigh Truhe finished in 24:20, right behind her husband Eric Truhe, who finished fifth in the men's race while pushing his two children along in their stroller during the race. Third place female finisher was 12-year old Haleigh Wheat, finishing in 25:38. A huge congratulations to the Colorado Juvenile Defense Coalition, who did an unbelievable job drawing awareness to this important issue in Colorado. Click here to view pictures of this event.
Event - Film screening and panel discussion
In the District of Columbia, the DC Lawyers for Youth hosted a screening of their original documentary, The Road to Rehabilitation and Reform, a short film about DC and is most disconnected youth, at the Gala Theatre on October 18th. The theatre was packed. Attendees included juvenile justice stakeholders, community members, concerned citizens and DC Councilmember Jim Graham. Following the screening, audience members asked questions of a panel of people from the film. Questions ranged a variety of topics addressed in the film including educational opportunities for confined youth, re-entry programs and approaches to mentorship. DCLY plans to screen the film in communities across the District over the next year. If you have a venue where you would like to screen the film, please contact Eduardo Ferrer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Click here to read what DCist had to say about the event.
Event - Rally
In Illinois, Street-Based Youth in partnership with NPC Co-chair Grace Warren marched to bring awareness to the way that Chicago treats its homeless, home-free and street-based youth on Friday September 30th. Despite a rainstorm in the midst of their march, these youth kept their heads up and their feet dry during a Speak Out performance in which youth performed poetry, raps, dances and speeches and exhibited a series of artwork.
For more information, contact Grace Warren at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Event - 5k Run/Walk
On Saturday October 22, 2011, Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children (FFLIC), held its 2nd Annual 5k Run/Walk for Youth Justice. This event, also commemorating FFLIC's 10th anniversary, took place at Audobon Park, Shelter 10. One hundred participants, including youths from a local elementary school and several college students, ran or walked a 5k around the park. Congratulations Mr. Ernest Johnson and the rest of the FFLIC team for such a successful event! FFLIC is a statewide membership-based organization fighting for a better life for all of Louisiana's youth, especially those involved in the juvenile justice system. They engage in education, community building, and leadership development advocacy through strategically chosen goals in order to empower individuals, families and communities to transform currently oppressive systems and institutions into ones that uphold justice for our families, to build strong, powerful families and communities and to fight for justice for our children and ourselves. For more information on this effort, visit http://www.fflic.org/
Event - March for Youth Opportunities Books Not Bars! Youth Jobs Not Jails! Homes Not Cells! On Tuesday, October 4th at 5 p.m., the Maryland Alliance and a crowd of several hundred concerned citizens marched from the Baltimore City Detention Center (BCDC) to bring attention to Baltimore's plan to build a $100 million jail for youths charged as adults. Youth and advocacy groups spoke out against the $70-100 million that would be spent on this youth prison, demanding that these funds should be allocated to quality educational and job opportunity programs, community recreational centers and safe and decent homes for our youth. After marching from the BCDC to a Baltimore City school, youth, teachers and State Senator Catherine Pugh spoke about the importance of providing opportunities for youth rather than taking away their futures. Click here to read what The Baltimore Sun reported about the event.
Event - CFJJ on the Run 5k On October 16, Citizens for Juvenile Justice hosted a 5k run/walk to bring awareness to the most vulnerable children in Massachusetts, those who are in trouble with the law. Over 150 people including several youths and community members participated and/or watched the event, held at Jamaica Bay Pond just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. To commemorate the 17th anniversary of the CfJJ, runners took off to the beat of The Beatles, "Well she was just 17" from their hit, "I Saw Her Standing There." Peter Kilkelly and Elaine Scales won the Men's and Women's Overall, and everyone had a fun and quite breezy time. Click here to view more pictures from this event. Click here to view the event organizer's website.
See.Listen.Feel. Youth Justice. Mississippi was the site of the first See.Listen.Feel. Youth Justice Poetry Slam and Art Exhibit for Youth Justice at the Metrocenter Mall in Jackson. About a dozen youths took the stage to showcase their artistic talents and express their feelings, opinions and experiences with the justice system. Nearly 100 Mississippi residents attended.
For more information, contact Jed Oppenheim - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (334) 322 - 8218 Click here to read what Jackson Free Press reported on the event.
Event - 5k Run/Walk Cape County Park was the Missouri site of the 4th Annual 5k Run/Walk for National Youth Justice Awareness Month. Parent Tracy McClard started National Youth Justice Awareness Month to commemorate her son, Jonathon, who, facing an adult sentence, took his own life in January 2008 and bring awareness to the quarter of a million youths who are tried, sentenced and incarcerated as adults every year. As this movement has grown across the country, so has the Missouri Run/Walk. This year, Missouri House Representative Wayne Wallingford attended. His speech highlighting the history, present and future of juvenile justice brought tears to the eyes of many participants and attendees. Tracy is so excited about how much the movement has grown and is looking forward to expanding her race to honor its fifth year next year! For more information or to get involved in next year's race, contact Tracy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Event - Poetic Just Us!! All it Takes to Make a Difference is JUST US!!
Giampetro Park in Vineland, New Jersey was the site of this year's Poetic Just Us!!, a poetry slam featuring poets from age 13 - 45. Youths and adults alike shared their stories with one special feature, "Voices behind the Walls: Locked Down Youth Speaking Out." One youth in particular, nicknamed Tha Prince Royalty, spoke with immense power about his experience losing his mother, turning to the streets and taking up gang activity until he was charged as an adult at the age of 17 and sent to a New Jersey prison known as "Gladiator School." One of his former teachers came to the event and, teary-eyed, spoke about how proud he is of how far this young man has come. Parent Tracey Wells-Huggins of Renewed Minds, who planned and hosted the event, is working to publish a compilation of these youths' works titled: "Poetic Just Us: A Renewed Mind Experience!" If you are interested in this book or want more information on Renewed Minds and/or the event, contact Tracy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Event - Youth Are Youth: A Workshop to Address Rights and Empowerment (Y.A.Y A.W.A.R.E) The Raise the Age, Raise the Youth Film Tour: Brooklyn, New York was the site of the first Youth are Youth: A Workshop Addressing Rights and Empowerment (YAY! AWARE) Raise the Age, Raise the Youth film tour. On October 15, the Institute for NuLeadership, hosted a screening and panel discussion of the film, Juvies, to facilitate discussion and raise awareness about the 16- and 17-year-olds automatically charged as adults in the state of New York and the 13 - 15 year-olds prosecuted in adult court. The film tour will continue throughout the fall. To become a host or for more information about the campaign to "Raise the Age" in New York, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (718) 502 - 8854.
Event - Film Screening The Portland Downtown Central Library was the site of this year's Y-JAM event in Oregon on October 11th. Parent Sheila Montgomery hosted a film screening of the documentary, Childhood Interrupted, followed by a short speech by Partnership for Safety and Justice's Shannon Wight and discussion. This event comes on the heels of the release of Misguided Measures: The Outcomes and Impacts of Measure 11 on Oregon's Youth, a report detailing the detrimental impact an increase in transfer to adult court has had on Oregon's youth and public safety. For more information, view the event flyer or to find out more about the event, contact Sheila at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (503) 935 - 1093.
There will be two events in Pennsylvania this year! Event - Film Screening and panel discussion of original documentary "Stolen Dreams: The Impact of Trying & Locking Up Young People as Adults"
In Philadelphia, the Youth Art & Self-Empowerment Project screened their short documentary film, "Stolen Dreams." The film includes interviews with teenagers who are currently in adult jail and their families, young people who have been incarcerated as adults, as well as a judge, social worker and teacher who work with youth charged as adults on a daily basis. Following the film, there was a Q and A session with panelists: Kenyatta Johnson, State Representative; Judge Benjamin Lerner, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas; Joshua Glenn, YASP Organizer, formerly incarcerated in the adult system; Linda Watson, grandmother of a young man incarcerated as an adult at 15; and Rashida Ingram, social worker in the Philadelphia Prison System.
"Stolen Dreams" can be purchased for $20. To order a copy, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it For more information, visit www.yasproject.com or email Sarah at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Event - Film Screening of "Childhood Interrupted 2" and discussion
On October 13, Coatesville, Pennsylvania was the site of the second Y-JAM event in Pennsylvania. The event targeted the youth in their Pennsylvania community to make them aware of the issues and hopefully encourage them to express their concerns in positive ways to the powers that be. In addition to screening the film, Childhood Interrupted II, this event featured speakers, including a father whose son was charged as an adult at the age of 15 years old and sentenced to 8-16 years, and the new Director of Coatesville Youth Initiative, who shared information about the new Youth Court Program. Parent Debbie Willett intends to host film screenings in the future. If you would like to attend or want to get involved, contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Event - 5k March
There are more than 20,000 children in South Carolina's juvenile justice system. JA-USA marched to show them they are not alone, and they are not forgotten.
If you or a loved one has been affected by the justice system, please join us. These are our children, our families, our communities. Email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 843.603.1663 with any questions.
Event - Film Screening
For more information or to get more involved, contact Lillian at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Event - 5k Run/Walk On October 16, Onalaska, Wisconsin was the site of the 2nd annual 5k Run/Walk in Onalaska. Parent Vicky Gunderson, whose son died while in an adult facility, has organized the event since its inception. She said, "It's extremely important. We'll never bring our son back, but the fact that we can make a change and maybe help someone else not have to have the pain and the feeling that we live with on a daily basis, that's what this is about."
If you have questions, you may contact Vicky Gunderson by phone or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 608-385-7600.
Pete Shevlino-SC
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Sadric Bonner-NC sadricbonner@ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Almeta Harrington-VA This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Sheila Montgomery-OR This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Gina Womack-LA This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Vicky Gunderson-WI This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Ernest Johnson-LA This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Grace Warren-IL This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Malachi Garza-CA This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Ruth Ann Foster-NC This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Charmaine Washington-LA This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Tracy McClard-MO This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
South Carolina Parent Terry Davenport led a small but mighty group of marchers on Saturday, October 22nd in the inaugural March for Justice in recognition of National Youth Justice Awareness Month in Charleston, SC. Marchers shared with passersby the common goal of seeing an end to the incarceration of children. The group sat in on an OccupyCharleston.org event and received encouragement for their efforts. Plans are already underway for next year's event!
Parent Lillian Tillman hosted Tennessee's first ever Juvenile Justice Awareness Community Day at the Hickory Ridge Towne Center in Memphis to bring the community together to help at-risk youth in the Memphis area. Participants watched "Childhood Interrupted" followed by a series of panelists including Cassaundra Arbertha and others from the Memphis City Gang Awareness Initiative, Erica Nason from Families of Incarcerated Individuals, and ex-gang member Courtney Cannon. The speakers focused on youth development and ways to bring a voice to our children.
