Youth Power In Action: Support Our Journey to NACRJ 2026

Youth Power In Action: Send Our Leaders to NACRJ 2026! 🚀

At Community Works (CW), we don't just see the youth we serve; we see the leaders they are becoming. They're not defined by the systems that tried to hold them back, but by their courage, their resilience, and their lived experiences—the very tools they use to advocate for a better future.

This campaign is about fueling that power. We're raising $25,000 to send our inspiring young advocates to the NACRJ Conference in New Orleans in 2026—a transformative journey that will solidify their role as architects of justice.

More Than a Conference: A Transformative Journey

The NACRJ (National Association of Community and Restorative Justice) Conference is a vital gathering. It’s where our youth can connect with policymakers, advocates, and experts from across the country, building the skillsets and courage needed to speak up on the biggest stage. Just like our staff was inspired by past conferences, our youth will bring back new insights and strategies to strengthen our community.

We saw the profound impact these experiences have firsthand in the 2024-2025 program year, particularly with our youth in ProjectWHAT!, which served 41 people:

• Inspired Action: Mordakai Heming, a PW Youth Advocate, recently presented his narrative piece alongside staff at the 7th Annual Ann Adalist-Estrin Memorial National Children of Incarcerated Parents Conference. He realized the immense benefit of hearing advocates share how they got local bills passed or how participants in their groups opened up. He calls this exposure "inspiring" and sees it as essential model-building for his own advocacy.
• Finding Their Voice: This year, ProjectWHAT! saw a young person who was initially apprehensive open up, participate in group activities, and engage in writing sessions since beginning Summer training.
• Strategic Growth: JC Foster, a PW Peer Mentor, shared a similar experience after attending the ABMOC conference, saying he engaged in "thought-provoking discussions" that helped further his perspective on the impact we can have in the current political climate.

This is the critical opportunity for our young leaders to develop their political literacy and strategic thinking—and bring those insights back to strengthen our work right here at home.

Invest in Bravery, Invest in Change

This effort is about narrative power. It's about ensuring our young people are seen and heard—especially when their work is being challenged. For Mordakai, his only "thorn" was wishing he had asked more questions—a clear sign of the hunger for knowledge that the NACRJ conference will satisfy.

Your Investment Will Fund:

We have an urgent goal of $25,000 to make this powerful experience possible. Your support will directly cover travel, accommodation, and registration costs for our youth leaders, giving them the platform they've earned:

Program Investment

Impact

Travel & Logistics

Ensuring safe transport and housing for our youth advocates in New Orleans.

Registration Fees

Securing access to skill-building workshops and networking opportunities with national leaders.

On-Site Support

Providing staff and peer mentor support to maximize the learning and advocacy experience.

Your donation is a direct investment in their power and their ability to create a future where justice is rooted in humanity and healing.

Help us send our young leaders to New Orleans! Support Youth Power In Action and contribute to our $25,000 goal today!