Our Approach
We bring the voices of those most impacted by an issue to the table when developing and campaigning for new legislation. In our vision, organizing and advocacy work is youth-centered and elder-informed. We create systems-level change by building the next generation of young leaders. Our Dream Beyond Bars fellows learn how to organize and direct policy campaigns. Fellows attend coalition meetings and are mentored by our policy and program teams to engage with stakeholders, build community power, and craft policy.
Main Focus Areas
Policy Wins
Our work to change policy and transform systems impacts hundreds of thousands of people across the state. Change at this level is sometimes incremental, sometimes dynamic. These are a few of CURYJ’s key wins over the years:
Current Campaigns

ACA 8 - End Slavery in CA
ACA 8 – End Slavery in CA (Wilson) Removes Slavery from CA Constitution

The HOME Act
AB 1306 – The HOME Act (Carrillo) Protects people from ICE transfers who are in CDCr and qualify for certain CJ reform laws (“youth offender” parole laws, elder parole, compassionate release, medical parole, SB 1437 / felony murder, the Racial Justice Act, and clemency). Does not apply to people in jails.

The REPAIR Act
AB 1186 – The REPAIR Act (Bonta) Establishes a more accessible and sustainable system of compensation for crime survivors in place of youth restitution.

The Family Unity Act
AB 958 – The Family Unity Act (Santiago) Increases visiting opportunities for families of incarcerated people and makes visiting a civil right for incarcerated people and their family members.

The PROMYSE Act
AB 702 – The PROMYSE (Promoting Youth Success & Empowerment) Act (Jackson) Reinvests JJCPA (Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act)dollars into communities. Ensures equal community representation in decision making by requiring counties’ JJCCs (Juvenile Justice Coordinating Councils), which decide how JJCPA funds are spent, to designate co-chairs and allocate 50 percent of its seats to community members.
Get Involved
You can make a difference. Visit our Take Action page to learn more about how to volunteer, petition, engage in events, or otherwise support our policy work.
For more information about our policy agenda or campaigns, reach out to our Policy & Legal Services Manager, J Vasquez, our Policy & Legal Director, Sonja Tonnesen-Casalegno, or our Director of Campaigns and Organizing, Frankie Ramos at policy@curyj.org. For more information about our youth-led policy initiatives and support for emerging leaders, contact our Youth Program Associate, Xochtil Larios .