Today is the Start of Youth Justice Awareness Month (YJAM)!

It is finally here! Youth Justice Awareness Month (YJAM) kicks off today! We are very excited about a number of organizations joining us this year - Over 30 organizations in nearly 20 states are helping to make YJAM a reality!

With events happening throughout the country, YJAM is not only a time to raise awareness but also a time to build collective action, to strengthen relationships with other advocates, and to join local advocacy campaigns working to create policy changes. Events planned range from poetry slams, film screenings, community forums, and more. We estimate that over 3,000 people will attend YJAM events all over the country this year.

This year's theme is "The Consequences Aren't Minor." During the month of October, be on the look out for issues under this umbrella theme, including racial and ethnic disparities, collateral consequences, and the voices of youth and community advocates, themselves. Moreover, we will be highlighting the wonderful organizations that work, whether directly or in solidarity, to end the practice of trying youth as adults.

How can you get involved in spreading the word about YJAM? That is a great question!

For a list of events and ways to get involved, click HERE.

Latest Blog Post about this year’s YJAM themes, they can be found HERE.

Help us share the excitement around YJAM by sharing this message to your networks and list serves.

Join us on Twitter and Facebook to receive all the latest infographics (like the one above), event info, and issue themes during October. And don’t forget to use #YJAM and #YouthJustice to join the conversation all month long!

For more information, contact Angella Bellota: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you for your support in kicking of YJAM 2014!