Developing the Next Generation of Advocates 

SJLI invests in young people as leaders and changemakers, creating opportunities for them to deepen their understanding of the issues affecting their communities, strengthen their voices, and take action toward a more just future.

Urban Advocates

Urban Advocates is an annual leadership and advocacy program for highly engaged Urban Scholars who are ready to deepen their role as youth leaders and changemakers. Participants examine issues affecting  youth wellness and develop strategies to address the impacts of policing,incarceration, and the school-to-prison pipeline across Los Angeles County.

Centering the perspectives and lived experiences of young people most impacted by these systems, Urban Advocates builds leadership, organizing, research, and advocacy skills while connecting youth to coalition-led campaigns and opportunities to influence the policies and decisions affecting their communities.  

Youth Justice Fellowship   

SJLI’s Youth Justice Fellowship (YJF) is an intensive, year-long leadership development program that engages young adults ages 18–25 in interdisciplinary research, community organizing, healing justice, and global learning.

Through a supportive learning community, Fellows build meaningful connections, strengthen their leadership and intellectual capacities, and critically examine the social, political, and economic systems shaping their communities. The fellowship combines rigorous research, academic writing, and hands-on organizing experiences to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to challenge systemic inequities and advance community-driven solutions.

International travel and cultural exchange further expand Fellows’ global perspectives, allowing them to explore shared struggles, examine different approaches to social change, and deepen their understanding of collective liberation across communities.

PUSH LA

SJLI is a member of PUSH LA (Promoting Unity, Safety, and Health in Los Angeles), a cross-sector coalition of community-based, advocacy, and faith-based organizations working to reimagine public safety and advance police accountability across Los Angeles. Together, coalition partners advocate for shifting resources away from punitive policing and incarceration toward community-based investments that promote safety, health, and well-being, particularly in Black and Brown communities.

Alliance of Boys and Men of Color 

SJLI partners with The Alliance for Boys and Men of Color (ABMoC), a national network of community-based and advocacy organizations working to advance racial and gender justice through collective action and policy change. Together, Alliance partners work to dismantle systemic barriers that limit opportunities for boys and men of color and their families, advancing policies that promote educational equity, economic security, community safety, and alternatives to incarceration. Through this partnership, SJLI contributes to broader efforts to build community power and create conditions where young people and families can thrive. 

Brothers, Sons, Selves (BSS) Coalition

SJLI is a collaborating partner in the Brothers, Sons, Selves (BSS) Coalition, a youth-centered alliance of community-based organizations working to end the criminalization of boys and young men of color across Los Angeles County. Grounded in a shared commitment to Black belonging, educational equity, and youth empowerment, the coalition advances policies that promote alternatives to punitive school discipline, invest in young people’s futures, and create safer, more supportive communities. Through leadership development, political education, community organizing, and advocacy training, BSS equips young people with the skills and opportunities to shape public policy and lead efforts for lasting systems change.

Our Future LA

SJLI is a coalition partner of Our Future LA, a countywide alliance of nonprofit organizations, community advocates, and residents working to address housing insecurity and homelessness through policy reform and collective action. Together, coalition partners advocate for expanding affordable housing, strengthening tenant protections, preventing displacement, and advancing equitable housing policies that support long-term community stability. This work reflects SJLI’s commitment to ensuring that residents of Inglewood, South Los Angeles, and communities across the region have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

Stay Housed LA

SJLI is a community partner of Stay Housed LA, a collaborative initiative between Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, and community-based and legal service organizations working to prevent displacement and promote housing stability. Through tenant education, community outreach, legal resources, and eviction defense services for eligible residents, the partnership empowers renters to understand and exercise their rights, navigate housing challenges, and remain safely housed. SJLI supports these collective efforts to strengthen tenant protections and ensure that individuals and families across Los Angeles County have the resources and support needed to maintain stable housing.