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
Police Decertification
CA SB 2 The Kenneth Ross Jr. Police Decertification Act would strip badges from officers who commit serious misconduct, allow for independent investigations, and remove barriers to suing cops in civil court.
C.R.I.S.E.S. Act
CA AB 118 Would create a 5-year pilot program to expand community-based emergency response alternatives to police regarding situations involving people experiencing homelessness, mental health crises, intimate partner violence, community violence, and substance use.
Family Unity Act
CA AB 990 Would restore visiting as a civil right for incarcerated people and would remove barriers that prevent families and children from visiting their loved ones.
VISION Act
CA AB 937 Would prevent CA law enforcement and CDCR from colluding with ICE to deport people who have already served their time.
End Endless Probation
CA AB 503 Would limit probation terms for youth and require that conditions are individually tailored, developmentally appropriate, and not excessive.
PROMYSE Act
CA SB 493 Would reinvest into communities by requiring counties to distribute at least 95% of allotted funds to non-law enforcement community based organizations.
Cunningham Fix
CA SB 567 Would restrict a judge’s discretion to sentence a person to the high term by requiring aggravating facts to be presented to a jury and proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 Tonessen-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 .
Other Programs at CURYJ
Tap on the image to learn more about the program.
Community Healing
Dream Beyond Bars
Homies 4 Justice
Life Coaching
Participatory Defense
