Bringing Directly Impacted
young women and trans youth of all genders
from the margins to the center
Join us for the official launch of Young Women’s Freedom Center Los Angeles and the inaugural edition of our youth magazine, Young AF on May 26, 2022 at 5:30 pm. We're so excited to open our doors to the larger community for the first time and celebrate the work we're doing in LA. RSVP at the link in our bio.
To ensure the safety of all our guests, we ask everyone to wear a mask and submit their vaccination records in advance.
California youth often spend too much time on probation with conditions that set them up for failure. AB 503 will #EndEndlessProbation and require that probation terms are limited, developmentally appropriate, and individually tailored to the young person. Join us in support of passing #AB503 and reducing the length of youth probation.
If you missed it, we're highlighting three powerful stories of mothers whose lives have been deeply affected by incarceration. Women are the fastest growing prison population, and most are mothers separated from their young children. We are committed to reuniting mothers with their families and transforming the system. Watch the video at the link in our bio.
What’s up, Oakland? Come join us today for 510 Day at Lake Merritt, where our youth organizers will share more about the work we’re doing in Oakland to end the criminalization and incarceration of women, girls, and trans youth of all genders. Hear from powerful leaders in the movement, join our TikTok challenge, and pick up YWFC swag, snowcones, and more. We can’t wait to see you there!
More than 2 million people across the U.S. are incarcerated and separated from their families today. Women are the fastest growing prison population, and most are mothers separated from their young children. This Mother’s Day, learn about three mothers whose lives have been deeply affected by incarceration: Amika, Lynn, and Benee. Watch the full video and learn more about their stories at the link in our bio.
Join us for the official launch of Young Women’s Freedom Center Los Angeles on May 26, 2022 at 5:30 pm. We are proud to open our doors to the larger community for the first time and extend our invitation to you! We'll also be launching our powerful new youth magazine, Young AF, which was created by system-impacted young women and trans youth of all genders across California. RSVP at the link in our bio.
*Masks and vaccine records required*
The draft opinion leaked from the Supreme Court overruling Roe v. Wade is alarming, upsetting, and terrifying, to say the least. Overruling Roe v. Wade will NOT ban abortions, it will only ban SAFE abortions. Marginalized child-bearing people will bear the brunt of this decision. Those who do not have the means or resources to access abortion safely will be forced to put their life on the line for a choice that should be theirs and theirs alone.
This is not the final ruling, and we’re prepared to fight to protect our right to choose what we do with our own bodies. This is a deep regression in our recognition of human rights and we’re alarmed that a fundamental right could be ripped away from us. We stand in solidarity with everyone who is impacted by this. Our bodies, our choice.
SWIPE ➡️
Today is International Workers Day, so let’s talk about incarcerated workers. Involuntary servitude still exists in California’s constitution, and as a result, incarcerated workers are forced to take work assignments or face punishments that could endanger their release or prevent them from connecting with their families.
Most incarcerated people want to work — they should be able to choose a job that aligns with their interests and allows them to further their education and participate in programs. ACA 3 would allow them to prioritize their personal transformation and ensure that they cannot be punished for not taking assigned jobs or for wanting to work a different job.
Earth Day typically includes calls to cut emissions, shift our daily practices, and prioritize sustainability. BUT, it’s important to shed light on the fact that overlooked, marginalized populations disproportionately bear the burden of climate change.
In California, we rely on incarcerated firefighters to fight the wildfires that blaze through our state each year. Yet, this dangerous work is hardly compensated, with incarcerated firefighters making between $2-$5 a day. We can’t solve the climate crisis without ending involuntary servitude in the form of prison labor. Radical, holistic, and revolutionary change is necessary to transform the criminal justice system and save our planet. To read more about the link between the climate crisis and the prison industrial complex, head to the link in our bio.
What’s up, Santa Clara County? We’re launching our new Economic Empowerment Program on May 1st for young people age 14-25 with a risk of exploitation or who’ve been caught up in cycles of violence. You’ll receive support from our incredible staff at Young Women’s Freedom Center, including 1:1 self-determination coaching, weekly Freedom Circles, and a monthly stipend of $500. For inquiries and referrals, please reach out to Analisa Ruiz at sccrefferals@youngwomenfree.org.
A #YouthBillofRights already exists in CA law, but it only applies to youth prisons. CA needs to protect these rights in county youth facilities. #AB2417 will give incarcerated youth across CA a Bill of Rights so they can be safe, protected, and empowered.
Young Women's Freedom Center is hiring! Join us as we fight to end mass incarceration, transform the system, and build community-based alternatives.
We're looking for the following:
- Director YWFC LA
- Director YWFC Oakland
- Self-Determination Coordinator (Oakland)
- Operations Manager (San Francisco)
- Self-Determination Coordinator (Santa Clara County)
Apply now to join our team of directly-impacted women and trans people of all genders. Head to the link in our bio to learn more!