The Youth Justice Project is a voluntary alliance of DC youth defenders, legal advocates, and allied organizations. Each keeps its own independent voice and mandate. Together, they coordinate the work no single organization can carry alone.
Provides youth-centered legal defense and holistic advocacy for young people after sentencing in DC's juvenile legal system, and works for systemic improvements to better the lives of marginalized children and youth. OCA serves as the coalition's administrative backbone.
opencityadvocates.orgA special education legal services and advocacy organization serving older students with disabilities who are involved in DC's juvenile and criminal legal systems.
sjpdc.orgProtects and advances the civil rights of adults and children with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities, including children and young people with mental disabilities in the legal system.
bazelon.orgWorks to create legal, economic, and social equity through strategic litigation and related public policy advocacy, including criminal legal system reform and education justice for DC students.
washlaw.orgBuilds community to foster personal development and systems change for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth and adults through the literary arts, workforce development, trauma healing, peace-building, and member-led advocacy.
freemindsbookclub.orgThe District's federally designated Protection and Advocacy program. Provides individual and systemic legal advocacy, community outreach, and investigation of abuse and neglect for adults, children, and youth with disabilities, including young people in DYRS facilities.
uls-dc.orgProvides and promotes quality legal representation to people facing a loss of liberty in DC, including young people in the juvenile legal system, and is recognized as one of the nation's leading public defender offices.
pdsdc.orgListing as a coalition member organization does not mean that every member endorses every coalition position. Shared positions reflect consensus at the time they are adopted, and members may decline to join individual positions while remaining members of the coalition.
The Youth Justice Project has no staff and no steering committee. Member organizations make decisions together by consensus. Open City Advocates serves as the coalition's administrative backbone, providing meeting coordination, recordkeeping, and logistics, with no special voting authority.
The coalition is an unincorporated nonprofit association under DC Code § 29-1101 and a legal entity distinct from any of its member organizations. It does not represent clients, give legal advice, employ staff, hold funds, or lobby in its own name.
The Youth Justice Project admits new member organizations by consensus of current members. If your organization works on DC youth justice and wants to explore membership, write to join@youthjusticeproject.org with a short description of your organization and your interest. We will share the Charter and the membership process with you.