AFJ Voices | The Experiences We Don’t See

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Since its founding, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) has worked with young people every day whose lives are far more complex than the labels that are often assigned to them which tell us very little about what they have experienced, what challenges they are dealing with, or what support and resources they need.

Recently, we had a conversation with AFJ Participant Aaron, who at the age of 18, knows what it feels like to be misunderstood. When reflecting on his childhood, Aaron talked about moving throughout New York City, challenges at home, difficulties in school, feeling anxiety, and not being accepted. He described feeling unheard and struggling to find a sense of belonging at home and in school. He explained that people would say that he looked unapproachable, but that’s never really how he was.

His comment speaks to a larger reality that many Black and Brown young men experience. A facial expression and the way they dress can shape how others see them long before their full humanity is understood. Research and lived experience tell us that young people’s lives are shaped by families, schools, neighborhoods, economic conditions, exposure to trauma, community violence, and access to opportunity. Yet public conversations often focus on individual choices without examining the broader conditions influencing those choices.

Our work is ensuring that young people have access to opportunities that allow them to envision a future for themselves. We have worked closely with Aaron, who has excelled in our HIRE Up Leadership Council cohort and has done public speaking.

Tomorrow, Aaron is being recognized by the Children's Defense Fund with the 2026 Youth Samuel Halprin Award. The recognition not only reflects his personal growth but also the importance of creating spaces for young people to lead, speak out, and shape conversations about the issues affecting their communities. Unfortunately, most of the time, our young men are viewed through the lens of risk, deficiency, or involvement with the legal system. Far less attention is paid to their resilience, leadership, and potential.

Today, Aaron has achieved something remarkable: he has completed all requirements to earn his GED and will participate in a graduation ceremony — and even attend prom. He is also pursuing additional certifications, building his confidence as a public speaker, and thinking intentionally about his future. He credits Avenues for Justice with helping him return to school, develop new skills, and build confidence in himself.

Stories like Aaron's also raise broader questions about how society invests in young people. Research has consistently shown that young people benefit from positive relationships, educational support, workforce development, and community-based services. Yet public resources continue to flow disproportionately toward systems of incarceration rather than prevention and intervention.

Aaron's story highlights a reality that is often missing from public conversations about young people. Long before court involvement, many young people are dealing with complex challenges that, for many families, are generational due to systems of oppression.

Understanding those experiences does not excuse behavior. It provides a more complete picture of the conditions that shape young people's lives and the investments that help them succeed.

We are so proud of Aaron, and we will remain connected beyond graduation. He has brought so much to AFJ, and we appreciate the way he supports his peers and advocates for the importance of our mission and work.

This is Justice in Action.