Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM) serves as an important reminder of the value and potential of young people. Held every October, this month-long observance seeks to raise awareness about the unique challenges young individuals face within the justice system and advocates for fair, effective, and developmentally appropriate responses. This October, we come together for YJAM 2025 under the theme United for Action – A Call for Unity. In a time when division threatens progress, unity is our most powerful tool. YJAM is a reminder that change happens when youth, advocates, families, and communities work together to demand justice, elevate youth voice, and reimagine a system rooted in healing and opportunity—not punishment.
Youth Justice Action Month is a crucial opportunity to reflect on how society treats its youngest members. By acknowledging that youth are uniquely capable of growth and change and so our the people and systems that support them, we commit to creating continuums of care that nurture potential, foster rehabilitation, and cultivate a brighter future for all. Through collective action and advocacy, we can ensure that every young person has the opportunity to succeed.
Kanawha County Public Library 123 Capitol St, Charleston, WV
Still Becoming: Honoring the process of change--unfinished, ongoing, and full of possibility. Student artwork will reflect the growth and tr...
Kanawha County Public Library 123 Capitol St, Charleston, WV
Digital - link in event description
We've collected art from students in juvenile justice facilities across the country to participate in Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM). All...
Digital - link in event description
Humphrey School of Public Affairs (301 South 19th Ave, Minneapolis), Room 105
Juvenile Justice Advocates International and the University of Minnesota Human Rights Program are collaborating on art exhibit featuring art...
Humphrey School of Public Affairs (301 South 19th Ave, Minneapolis), Room 105
Seneca Park in Storm Lake, Iowa
Storm Lake is the most diverse city in Iowa, with several youth and families experiencing the juvenile justice system. Youth in Storm Lake h...
Seneca Park in Storm Lake, Iowa
Minneapolis, MN
The Center for Improving Youth Justice (CIYJ) invites participants to a collaborative and interactive session focused on outreach strategies...
Minneapolis, MN
Youth justice is most effective when communities, families, and systems work together to support young people rather than punish them. A call for unity emphasizes collaboration, inclusion, and youth voice—ensuring that decisions are fair, equitable, and centered on rehabilitation and growth. By uniting around shared goals, we create opportunities for youth to thrive, build trust, and develop the skills they need to succeed.
A “Call for Unity” helps youth succeed by showing them the power of working together. When young people are included in decisions, supported by their peers and adults, and connected to their community, they develop important social, emotional, and problem-solving skills. Unity teaches collaboration, builds confidence, and helps youth feel valued, safe, and empowered to make positive choices. Each week, we’ll focus on a subtheme that highlights the many ways unity can transform youth justice.
Expanding knowledge and empathy through reading, lived experience, shared stories, and historical context.
Centering care, rehabilitation, and restoration over punishment and incarceration.
Advocating for resources that strengthen families, schools, and community-based programs.
Elevating youth voices and creating spaces for them to lead in shaping solutions.
Working collectively across generations to create safer, more just communities for all.
YJAM aims to educate the public, policymakers, and community leaders about the challenges youth face in the justice system. By highlighting personal stories and data, the month seeks to foster awareness and action.Our mission at Youth Justice Action Month is to help youth succeed by providing them with the tools and resources they need to build a better future. We believe that every young person has the potential to achieve great things, and we are committed to helping them reach their goals.
Advocacy is a key component of YJAM, encouraging reforms that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. This includes pushing for legislation that eliminates harsh sentencing for minors, reduces racial disparities, and invests in community-based alternatives to incarceration.
Showcasing the success stories of young individuals who have overcome adversity underscores the message that youth are capable of change and growth and so are the systems and support networks that help them get there. These narratives inspire hope and motivate communities to support positive change.
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