Forum to feature attorney from Juvenile Law Center
Lourdes M. Rosado will be one of the featured speakers at a youth symposium on Thursday.
In celebration of National Youth Justice Awareness Month, area residents are invited to “A Community Conversation to Save our Children” on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Brandywine Center.
Hosted in partnership with the Coatesville Youth Initiative and Child and Family Focus, Inc., the theme this year is, “Youth, Be the Change Youth Want to See!” This parent-initiated event is an opportunity to hear from youth who have spent time in the juvenile justice system and what made them successful today; and learn how as a community we can support youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system.
In addition, Lourdes M. Rosado, associate director of the Juvenile Law Center, will discuss trends in stemming the school to prison pipeline; diverting youth from juvenile-justice system involvement; improving educational outcomes for youth in the system; and promoting evidence-based practices.
At the Juvenile Law Center, Rosado employs a diverse set of strategies to advocate on behalf of children in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. With her colleagues, she pursues civil litigation on behalf of institutionalized children; writes appellate court and amici briefs on key legal issues affecting children involved in public systems; works on legislative and regulatory reform; and trains lawyers and other child-serving professionals on the law.
The Coatesville Youth Initiative and Child and Family Focus, Inc. are hosting this event to raise awareness about youth in the juvenile and adult justice systems. An estimated 250,000 youth are tried, sentenced, or incarcerated as adults every year across the United States. Most of the youth prosecuted in adult court are charged with non-violent offenses. Research shows that young people who are kept in the juvenile justice system are less likely to re-offend than young people who are transferred into the adult system.
The Brandywine Center is located at 744 E. Lincoln Highway, and the event will be held in the fourth-floor conference room. For information on the Brandywine Health Foundation and the Coatesville Youth Initiative, visit www.brandywinefoundation.org.
