Youth Represent ensures that young people affected by the criminal legal system are afforded every opportunity to live lives of dignity, self-fulfillment, and engagement in their communities. Founded in 2006, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free and comprehensive legal services to youth in New York. We also advocate for policy reforms that shrink the criminal system and expand opportunities for young people.

Youth Represent levels the playing field for young people who are being illegally and unfairly discriminated against as they pursue employment, housing, education, and stable family lives. A conviction, an arrest, or even a simple interaction with police can have lasting consequences for young people, threatening the stability they need to thrive. When our legal system creates barriers to success, we use direct legal representation and zealous advocacy to empower youth to leave the stigma of a criminal record behind.

Youth Represent utilizes a three-pronged approach to achieving true systems change on behalf of youth.

• Direct Services: Through our trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and holistic approach, we meet young people’s immediate needs while dismantling systemic barriers–equipping them to lead, succeed, and transform their communities.

• Policy Reform: “Raise the Age” and the “Fair Chance Act”, are two reform agendas focusing on expanding opportunities and justice for youth of color while putting the voices of system-involved youth at the center of these campaigns.

• Strategic Litigation: To date, we have won $8M+ in settlements challenging discriminatory practices against system-involved individuals and communities of color.

Youth Represent works with system-involved youth 26 and under, with the average age being 20. Because of historic and institutional racism, our clients are overwhelmingly youth of color: 79% are Black or Latinx. All our clients are low-income with 25% living in subsidized housing and 16% in shelters, residential homes, or supportive housing.

We envision a world where young people of color are no longer harmed by the racist criminal legal system. A world where young people have dignity and opportunity, regardless of their criminal charges or history of incarceration, citizenship status, level of education, mental health, or housing situation. We envision a world where youth are at the forefront of the fight for change so that together, we can achieve a brighter and more equitable future for all young people and their communities.

Yes! Every donation, from our monthly donors to those who give to our annual campaign or donate professional experience matter. We know every donation, regardless of size, represents the trust, support, and faith you are placing in Youth Represent that we will use your financial support effectively and efficiently to bring about the greatest impact on the lives of young people. We are ranked the highest transparency rating of “Platinum” from Guidestar.