Empowering Youth

Transforming Futures

Youth Represent provides legal counsel and legal services to youth between the ages of 18-26 while driving legislative change to ensure fair treatment for youth in the justice system.

Empowering Youth,

Transforming Futures

Youth Represent provides legal counsel and legal services to youth between the ages of 18-26 while driving legislative change to ensure fair treatment for youth in the justice system.

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Young People Are More Than Their History

Join Us

We believe young people are more than their records.
More than their worst day.
More than the systems that too often fail them.

Across New York, young people face barriers to housing, employment, and education because of court involvement. Youth Represent was founded on a simple truth: involvement in the criminal legal system should not define a young person’s future.

LEGAL SERVICES

We partner with community organizations across all five boroughs to deliver legal services directly in the spaces where young people already receive. Our interdisciplinary legal team–including attorneys, social workers, and paralegals–provides holistic legal representation to help remove barriers to reentry, employment, housing, and opportunity.

Get Legal Support

IMPACT LITIGATION

When employers break the law, we take action. In partnership with law firms and advocacy organizations, we file individual and class action lawsuits against workplace discrimination based on criminal history.

Fight workplace discrimination

POLICY ADVOCACY & ORGANIZING

We work with young people, service providers, defenders and other coalition partners to fight for policies that reduce youth arrest and incarceration, and increase investments in the resources and opportunities that make young people and communities truly safe.

Advance Youth Justice Reform

Our Impact

Real results. Real futures restored.

1,000+

youth served annually

$8M+

won in settlements holding discriminatory systems accountable

79%

79% of clients served are Black or Latine

25%

of clients live in subsidized housing, protecting housing stability

Your support turns legal defense into real opportunity.

One case can change a life. Change is possible with your support.

Donate

Youth Justice & Opportunities Act

We’re leading the fight for a system that prioritizes opportunity over punishment.

The Youth Justice & Opportunities Act would:

Align policy with what science tells us about young adult brain development.
Expand alternatives to incarceration opportunities for young people
Allow for immediate record sealing so young people can pursue education, employment, and housing.

YJ&O is a commitment to second chances and real opportunity.

Learn how it works