Young people who’ve experienced incarceration face enormous hurdles to successfully re-enter their communities, such as finding jobs, securing safe and affordable housing, having access to education, and rebuilding healthy relationships with their families.
California Justice Leaders is a first-of-its-kind AmeriCorps program designed to engage young adults who’ve successfully transitioned back into their communities after having had contact with the justice system. Members receive training and professional development to serve as re-entry navigators to youth and young adults who are currently in or have recently been released from California’s juvenile facilities.
As part of their AmeriCorps placement, over 60 members will serve as re-entry navigators in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Fresno, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Bernadino, Riverside, Madera, and Alameda Counties. They will build awareness of and work to increase utilization of record-cleaning pathways and guide youth and young adults on a successful re-entry journey. CJL members will also receive significant leadership training, post-secondary education guidance and support, and professional development designed to provide the skills and social capital necessary to become the next generation of professionals, community leaders, justice field professionals, and agents of systems change.
By having peer navigators who have successfully navigated re-entry provide guidance and mentorship to their younger counterparts, the California Justice Leaders program stands to support hundreds of young people achieve the futures they desire. California Justice Leaders is also supported by California Volunteers and nearly 30 community organization partners.
