“If our kids are incarcerated…they’re missing the village. I hope that we’re able to come together and be the village our young people need to heal, to thrive, and to have a good life full of love, healing, and abundance.” —Israel Villa, Co-Convener of the California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice

We often hear the phrase: “It takes a village to raise a child.” At OYCR’s first California Youth Justice Summit in November 2024, this concept came to life in powerful ways. For two days, more than 400 youth justice system partners gathered in Orange County to share knowledge, build relationships, and envision a future where community-centered responses are the foundation of justice for young people. 

How do we define “the village” when it comes to youth justice? It includes everyone who interacts with and supports young people, including educators, tribal representatives, mental health professionals, probation officers, and judges. At the Summit, these stakeholders examined the state of youth justice in California through one of four series of sessions focused on Health, Education, Racial Equity, or Youth Voice. Together, each group worked to chart a path toward a more compassionate, collaborative, and effective system—one that provides young people with the care, resources, and connections they need to thrive. 

Plenary speaker Anthony Brinkley, whose journey from being system-involved to graduating from Georgetown Law provides a unique perspective on youth justice, captured this idea well, stating, “When children are making their way through the system, they come in contact with many different stakeholders… The larger the collaboration, the better for youth success.”  

The village is as much about relationships as it is about the systems in place to support young people effectively.  

With a compelling fireside conversation between Anthony and his former professor, Kristin Nicole Henning, the Summit’s opening plenary session brought “the village” to center stage. As the Blume Professor of Law and Director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic and Initiative at Georgetown Law, Professor Henning has devoted her career to supervising law students and representing youth accused of delinquency in D.C. Superior Court. She guided the conversation with Anthony, highlighting how a holistic approach can dismantle harmful stereotypes and promote healing for young people in the system. They specifically emphasized the profound impact of mentorship, advocacy, and collaboration in shaping a justice system that supports young people. 

As Anthony shared during the session, “[Youth need] people who they know care about them, who know have their best interests at heart. If they’re skeptical at all, there’s gonna be a roadblock.” Reflecting on the transformative relationships in his life, he continued, “Every time I found somebody that I really connected with, it was very pivotal in my life. I remember every single person who put into me, and I still have contact with all these people to this day. But the amount of people that just kind of brushed me aside and told me I wouldn’t ever be anything… they’re tenfold.” 

Anthony’s words illustrate the lasting impact of genuine connections and the crucial role that empathy plays in a young person’s journey through the justice system. When youth encounter individuals who truly care about their well-being—who take the time to listen, understand, and believe in their potential—it can be transformative. They are far more likely to make positive choices and overcome the systemic barriers that too often shape their lives.  

Yet, as Anthony pointed out, those who dismiss or undermine them can leave deep scars, further perpetuating the cycle of disenfranchisement. True progress requires more than systemic reform; it demands a shift in how we engage with youth and each other as partners—and become the village they might be lacking. It’s the teacher who sees potential, the social worker who offers guidance, the mental health provider who listens, and the probation officer who advocates for a second chance. Each connection strengthens the web of support, helping to transform a life one step at a time. 

The Summit served as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when like-minded people come together. From workshops on restorative practices to youth-led presentations, the Summit revealed actionable steps for advancing youth justice, such as centering youth voices in decision-making and creating more opportunities for resource-sharing and community-building. 

“The level of partnership going on across the state is something I’ll take away [from the Summit]. I’ve met a lot of people to connect with and to learn from,” reflected Ashley Lugo, a policy advocate for the California County Superintendents who attended the Education Track. “You don’t [always] walk away from a conference…with all these follow-up notes and people to talk to and things that we can be a part of, things that we can ask our members to be a part of… And it’s all in service of students, so I’m really excited about what’s to come.” 

OYCR plays a vital role in sustaining this momentum. By fostering connections and bridging gaps, it ensures that stakeholders working to support young people do so collaboratively rather than in silos. Through councils, workgroups, grantmaking, and technical assistance, OYCR is helping build a system that is interconnected, inclusive, and rooted in community. 

“We are a facilitator. We’re a connector. We’re a collaborator,” Deputy Director Alani Jackson explains. “It is our job to make sure that everyone knows who is available and accessible within their village.” 

The work of building the village is ongoing, but the Summit made one thing clear: real progress happens through relationships. It’s not just about policies or programs—it’s about the collective commitment of individuals and organizations working together to create a brighter future for every young person.  

To learn more and connect with others in the California village, visit the OYCR website at https://oycr.ca.gov or social channels @cal_oycr. 

Judge Katherine Lucero (ret.), Director of OYCR, is a visionary and compassionate legal expert with 22 years of experience in Family Court, Dependency Court, and Juvenile Justice Court. Committed to system accountability to support human transformation, she provides expertise in trauma-informed, therapeutic court systems that are culturally respectful, gender-honoring, and promote family healing.