The Parents Project

The BI created The Parents Project in order to launch a systematic analysis of the role and benefit of parents in juvenile justice advocacy. CJNY has hosted retreats that focus on parent advocacy efforts and grassroots campaigns organized by parents to address juvenile justice issues. Participants have included parent organizers, youth and parents of youth with a history in the juvenile justice system.

Participants have shared their experiences and expertise on parent advocacy and parent organizing to collectively develop parent advocacy strategies. Such meetings have created the opportunity to examine the circumstances around parent advocacy and the various roles parents can play. 

Testimony:

October 23, 2008

Violet Mejia, long time CJNY supporter from San Jose who participated in our Parent Project wanted to send her love to the BI staff.

Violet and I talk every other week and this week she is preparing to see her son Dennis who is serving a year long sentence for violating his probation by testing dirty for marijuana. She has not received a phone call from him in a month and is asking for everyone to keep her and her family in their prayers.

Violet says she will never forget the love, support and rejuvenation to keep going she received from the CJNY Western Regional Conference in Monterey and looks forward to seeing us again. Violet recently finished a course in criminal justice and since her son was locked up is motivated to continue school.

Violet along with DeBug, a youth magazine based out of San Jose are spearheading the No On Prop 6 campaign in the South Bay. She has done numerous trainings for groups using the CJNY Prop 6 curriculum and is coordinating a rally and march in San Jose on Monday October 27th at 4pm that will start at Cal-trains where they will be joined by Youth United for Community Action (YUCA) from East Palo Alto and march to greet the DA at her office as she leaves work.

Please keep Violet in your prayers.

Christina "Krea" Gomez
Program Manager, Western & Southern Region
Community Justice Network for Youth
(415) 321-4100 x102
cgomez@burnsinstitute.org
www.cjny.org