Mission
THE YOUTH SENTENCING & REENTRY PROJECT USES DIRECT SERVICE AND POLICY ADVOCACY TO TRANSFORM THE EXPERIENCES OF CHILDREN PROSECUTED IN THE ADULT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND TO ENSURE FAIR AND THOUGHTFUL RESENTENCING AND REENTRY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE (JUVENILE LIFERS). WE PARTNER WITH COURT-INVOLVED YOUTH AND JUVENILE LIFERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND LAWYERS TO DEVELOP HOLISTIC, HUMANIZING NARRATIVES THAT MITIGATE THE FACTS OF EACH CASE; GET CASES TRANSFERRED TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM OR RESENTENCED; AND MAKE CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES PROVIDING EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT. WE ALSO PROVIDE TRAININGS ON MITIGATION, AND RECRUIT, TRAIN AND SUPERVISE STUDENTS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST IN THIS WORK. OUR ULTIMATE GOALS ARE TO KEEP CHILDREN OUT OF ADULT JAILS AND PRISONS AND TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION JUVENILE LIFERS RECEIVE AT RESENTENCING, AND AS THEY PREPARE TO REENTER THE COMMUNITY.