We are delighted to announce the union of Youth Justice Institute (YJI), formerly a project of Tides Center, and Planning for Change (PFC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization! The two organizations will formally become one entity on September 1, 2010 and the new organization will be known as Youth Justice Institute.
The new Youth Justice Institute will be co-led by Georgiana
Hernández of PFC and Gena Castro Rodriguez of YJI, and will build on
the successes and strengths already established by each organization.
“The joining will allow us to expand our policy work and make a
larger impact on jurisdictions throughout California. I’m excited to
bring together expertise from both organizations to work toward better
outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system,” says
Castro Rodriguez.
“Each of our organizations brings distinct strengths that expand
our capacity to make a difference in the juvenile justice arena. Gena
and I--and our board of directors--believe we will be able to
accomplish things that we could never have done had we not merged our
operations. We’re incredibly optimistic about what the future will
bring,” says Hernández.
The programs and services previously provided by YJI and PFC
will continue to serve youth and juvenile justice organizations and
systems in California. What will change is an expanded ability to
achieve the new organization’s mission: “To better the lives of the
youth we serve and to facilitate positive changes within the systems
that affect them.”
Learn more about Youth Justice Institute at yjinstitute.org
