The Emerging Leaders Committee is a partnership between CJJ and young people in the field of youth justice, many of whom bring lived expertise to their work. ELC members develop leadership and advocacy skills, learn about the youth justice system, and organize CJJ's Annual Youth Summit, a gathering that allows young people to come together to explore how they can lead reform in the youth justice system.

The ideal applicant will have the following experiences, skills, and qualities:

• have not yet reached the age of 27;
• be a member of their State Advisory Group;
• have previous or current youth justice involvement (i.e., aftercare, detention, incarceration, parole probation and/or residential placement.) and/or interested in youth justice reform;
• writing and/or public speaking skills;
• ability to work well with others; and
• eagerness to learn and listen.

Applicants with lived expertise and/or those who are members of their State Advisory Group are strongly encouraged to apply.

Members of the ELC gain access to a variety of opportunities. For example, this year the ELC attended and spoke at a virtual dinner organized by the Player’s Coalition. This event was held to elevate youth voices and inform change-makers in youth justice. The ELC also had the opportunity to share policy recommendations with Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Administrator, Elizabeth Ryan. During their conversation with Administrator Ryan, youth advocates expressed the unique struggles that they have experienced, from dealing with immigration and juvenile justice, to aftercare and the lack of resources that youth with a criminal history have. To learn more about the ELC’s Policy Recommendations to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), click here.

To learn more about the Emerging Leaders Committee, click here.

The ELC meets remotely by phone once a month with opportunities for additional involvement with specific projects.

Yes! ELC members are paid $25 an hour for a maximum of six hours a month.

Complete the application, including a resume and an optional letter of recommendation, here. If you are unable to submit it online, please download the application here and submit it to Aide Samantha Moore at moore@juvjustice.org.