Youth Justice Action Month

 

Youth Justice Action Month is an annual month-long campaign where advocates come together to organize digital and in-person events and activities to raise awareness and inspire action on behalf of young people impacted by the justice system.

YJAM is powered by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ), National Juvenile Justice Network(NJJN) and youth justice advocates like YOU across the country!

Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM) 2024: "YOUth Are Worth It"

October is Youth Justice Action Month (#YJAM2024)! YJAM is an annual campaign that brings together advocates, youth, and allies to raise awareness about the needs of young people impacted by the justice system. This month-long observance features a variety of digital and in-person events to inspire action for reform.

Theme: YOUth Are Worth It
The theme highlights the belief that young people deserve comprehensive community resources to thrive. It encourages stakeholders—youth, families, and advocates—to collectively reimagine systems of support, healing, and restorative justice that prioritize youth over punitive, carceral approaches.

Presented by NYJN the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, the "YOUth Are Worth It!" video series explores the work of the youth justice movement to re-envision true justice, healing and safety.

  • Episode 1 - Youth Are Worth Being Heard. Youth justice advocates discuss the importance of centering youth leadership in advocacy spaces. Video Link

  • Episode 2 - Youth Are Worth Keeping Safe. Youth justice advocates discuss a transformational vision of community safety that moves away from failed carceral models of youth punishment towards building resourceful and abundant communities. Video Link

  • Episode 3 - Youth Are Worth Investment - Why the JJDPA Matters. Youth justice leaders discuss the transformative power that the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act has had as a federal protection for young people in the legal system, and why it's crucial to reauthorize during this 50th year marking of the cornerstone legislation. Video Link

  • Episode 4 - Youth Are Worth Racial Justice. In Episode 4, youth justice leaders and experts discuss the history and contemporary repercussions of systemic racism in the foundation of the youth legal system and the ways youth of color are viewed and disproportionately impacted. Video Link 

  • Episode 5 - Youth Are Worth Healing. In Episode 5, leaders and experts discuss why it's critical to move youth justice away from punishment toward healing. When talking about forms of justice it can be easy to focus on wrongdoing and discipline. But, by doing this we miss out on important opportunities of honoring beautiful human beings who make up that space in the first place. As our finale, this video will focus on the power of self-love in continuing to define progress. Video Link

YJAM2024 Toolkit

Donate to Youth Justice: Youth justice advocacy needs financial support from individuals who care about the safety, protection and future of all youth. Take action this month by making a donation to a youth justice advocacy organization in your state or a national organization like CJJ or NJJN. 
Stay Connected: Stay committed to youth justice all year long by joining our email lists for future news and action alerts.