A justice-centered collective transforming systems and lives—through mentorship, healing, and the leadership of system-impacted youth.
Jaclyn Cirinna
Pronouns: Her
Executive Director
Benito Lopez-Sanchez
Pronouns: He/his
Mentorship Director
Jaleel Terrell
Pronouns: He/his
Advisor
Mentorship Cohort Overview
Young Leaders Network (YLN) is a youth-led organization rooted in mentorship, lived experience, and community-driven solutions for system-involved and system-vulnerable young people. In response to the urgent need for early, relational intervention, YLN is launching a six-month Mentorship Cohort (August–December) for youth ages 14–18 who are at risk of deeper involvement in the juvenile legal system.
This cohort engaged a small group of young people in a structured journey of growth, healing, leadership development, and real-world action, guided by five trained mentors with lived system experience. The program is intentionally designed to intervene at critical moments—supporting youth before punitive systems become permanent pathways.
Empower young leaders through peer support, technical assistance, and professional development
Where Youth Advocacy Meets Action
Where Youth Advocacy Meets Action
Across the nation, young people—particularly those impacted by systemic injustice—are navigating institutions rooted in oppression. Whether it’s probation, juvenile detention, or adult parole, these systems often reinforce cycles of harm rather than interrupt them. The collateral consequences are profound: from the school-to-prison pipeline and fractured families to the financial burdens of court fees and supervision costs.
To disrupt these cycles, we must reimagine support systems by us and for us—building pathways that empower instead of punish, and that prioritize healing, equity, and opportunity. That’s why the Young Leaders Network launched its Co-Design + Mentorship Program: a bold, community-centered initiative led by young people with lived experience.
This program isn't just about mentorship—it's about transformation. It centers the leadership of young changemakers to co-create a model rooted in truth, trust, and collective power.
Highlighted Projects
Mapping Our Impact
