The National Juvenile Defender Center has regional centers around the country and maintains state-by-state data on juvenile justice. Sarah Edwards is the development and communications director.

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is an organization of judges who seek to improve the quality of juvenile justice. Victor Leyba is the media and public relations specialist.

The National Center for Juvenile Justice researches topics relating to juvenile justice. Melissa Sickmund is director.

The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform is a project of Georgetown University that seeks to support and reform the current juvenile justice system through a cross-disciplinary approach. Shay Bilchik is founder and director.

The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth is “dedicated to reducing and abolishing the sentencing of any person below the age of 18 to life without the possibility of parole.” Karmah Elmusa is the communications director.

The Campaign for Youth Justice seeks to prevent youths from being tried as adults. April Turner is the communications and media director.

Breakaway Outreach is a faith-based nonprofit that works with young offenders in a juvenile detention center ministry. It was co-founded by Jimmy Larche, who says his life was changed by faith when he was a teenager in a juvenile detention center.

The African-American Juvenile Justice Project assists African-American children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It aims to hold “both the system and the African-American community accountable for the lives of our children.” Attorney Sherri Jefferson founded the project. Contact via her website.

Many religion reporters also write about spiritual movements and ethical concerns. What sorts of stories like that should a religion writer do? By Richard Scheinin San Jose Mercury News To write stories about spiritual movements, look for the telltale “signs” of religion-the quest for transcendence we hear so much about these days, the attempt to […]