Youth Justice Network

Youth Justice Network (formerly Friends of Island Academy) is a nonprofit center for youth development dedicated to breaking cycles of incarceration. We extend our reach into the communities most impacted by disproportionate justice system involvement. Youth Justice Network was founded in 1990 to anchor, support and develop capacity among young people newly released from jail in New York City. Friends was borne out of cycles of recidivism and systemic injustice experienced by thousands of youth of color in custody.  For the last 30 years, we have sought to leverage the promise and resilience of our youth members.