Mainor Xuncax

Like many Black and Brown men, Mainor Xuncax’s experience with law enforcement began at an early age. Mainor’s crime: he was late for school. There was never any intervention by teachers or counselors, and no one took the time to ask why he was late. Instead, Mainor...

Ronaldo Villeda

Something inside me broke when I heard the judge read my charges. I was 17-years old and facing life in prison. But it was at that moment, I knew I had to change; I just didn’t know how. What I learned very quickly however is the juvenile justice system is not...

Los Angeles Youth Uprising

Los Angeles Youth Uprising (LAYUP) was formed in early 2016, as the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Children’s Defense Fund-California, Urban Peach Institute and Youth Justice Coalition began meeting in response to the resignation of Chief Probation Officer Jerry Powers....