Meet AFJ Court Advocate: Julia Price

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At Avenues for Justice (AFJ), authenticity is more than a value—it’s how we connect, advocate, and support our Court-Involved and At-Risk Participants. The “how” in our impact starts with our team of fourteen, whose lived experience, professional expertise, and deep community ties fuel our individualized approach to ATI work. Our team of Court Advocates is comprised of program graduates, community members, and justice advocates who understand the barriers our young people face.

This week, we’re spotlighting Court Advocate, Julia Price, whose authenticity and drive have deepened our impact across the five boroughs. Her story is a powerful reminder that purpose often finds us in unexpected ways.

Julia’s journey to AFJ wasn’t a traditional one. Raised in a small town in East Tennessee, Julia studied Neuroscience at Ohio State and moved to New York City with plans to work in fashion. But after watching the Kalief Browder documentary, everything changed. Activated by the injustice Kalief faced, Julia sought out ways to engage in criminal justice reform, leading her to join AFJ’s Junior Board. Her time on the Junior Board sparked a new calling which bridged her background in science with a commitment to justice. When the opportunity to join AFJ as a Court Advocate presented itself, she stepped in with compassion and a strong belief that neuroscience could inform more equitable approaches to youth justice.

As she settled into her role, Julia supported two major initiatives: expanding AFJ’s citywide presence and launching our paid internship program. In partnership with AFJ’s Job Developer, Shantel Brooks, Julia assisted in securing internship sites, connecting Participants to opportunities, and building trust with employers. As a result of their efforts, over 60 Participants have completed internships across 30 small New York City businesses, 25 of whom are from Julia’s caseload.

Julia has also been instrumental in expanding AFJ’s presence in the Bronx. When AFJ launched a borough-based strategy in 2022, she was assigned to build relationships in Bronx courtrooms, resulting in referrals from the Bronx growing from 22% to 34% in a year.

‍"Over the past two years, it has been a pleasure to witness Julia’s growth and impact. She came to AFJ with a passion to challenge the injustices she had witnessed in the criminal legal system. Through dedication and engagement with our youth and their families, Julia built meaningful relationships and expanded AFJ’s presence in the Bronx and Queens which has resulted in an increase in referrals and established AFJ’s mission in these boroughs. Julia has truly become a pioneer—turning her passion into lasting change." ~Gamal Willis, AFJ's Chief Program Officer

One of Julia’s most impactful moments came when she implemented her first individualized action plan for 20-year-old Participant, Justin, facing felony weapon charges in Queens. Working closely with the defense attorney, Julia proposed a 10-month plan which included weekly programming at AFJ, monthly therapy with our partner Muse & Grace, and part-time employment. The judge agreed and this July at Justin’s final court date, the case will be reduced to a misdemeanor. This court outcome is a win for both Justin and AFJ as we work to champion reduced charges for our young people.

 "I work hard to build trust and strong relationships with my Participants—ones that I hope last beyond their court mandates. My goal is to support them in building a future they can be proud of. That’s how we create better outcomes and help them stay out of trouble for good.” ~AFJ Court Advocate Julia

“Julia is an amazing advocate and she’s very caring. It is always great to talk to Julia at the community centers about what is going on in my life.” ~AFJ Participant, Max, who is one of Julia's Participants.

Julia’s story is just one example of how our team uses their own experiences and commitment to providing second chances for our young people to drive transformation across the city.

Stay tuned for our upcoming newsletters where we’ll share more about this year’s events which celebrate our Participants, our team, and the important work happening across NYC.