They Broke Us. Together, We are Building Something New
The Imprint News, Michelle Perez
In the News
Are You Listening is a powerful movement led by advocates with lived experience in New York’s child welfare system. Born out of the Children’s Rights report, Are You Listening? Youth Accounts of Congregate Placements in New York State, this initiative is pushing to end the use of congregate settings in the state.
These advocates, together with their allies, are exposing the harms and trauma caused by these placements and driving the change needed to ensure every young person has the opportunity to grow up in a supportive family and community.
Their vision is clear: A future where children thrive in nurturing environments. The report provides actionable steps to make this vision a reality. Download the summary or full report to hear directly from them and join their urgent call for change.
Key Facts
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
In the Community
AYL Team tabling at the Youth Resources & Opportunities Fair hosted by Youth Represent Legal Services NYC
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In Washington, D.C.
Attending the U.S. Senate Finance Hearing, Youth Residential Treatment Facilities: Examining Failures and Evaluating Solutions
Connect With Us
MEET THE TEAM
Co-Chair
Jonathan DeJesus (He/Him)
Jonathan has nine years of lived experience in the foster system; eight of those years he spent in congregate settings. He currently works as a youth advocate at You Gotta Believe, supporting youth healing. Jonathan is invested in eliminating the harms of congregate settings because he personally experienced the long-term effects of being in congregate settings. His hope for the future is to hold systems accountable for these harmful settings and educate the public by uplifting the voices of those personally impacted.
Co-Chair
Michelle Perez (She/Her)
Michelle lives in Westchester and is an advocate dedicated to a better future for the next generation. She got into this work to give a voice to the voiceless and to shine a light where people in power don’t like there to be one. She’s hoping that this coalition can open doors for youth to start their healing processes, create safer environments and stability, and carve a path that enables successful futures. Michelle hopes that they can reinvent what the system looks like and hold systems accountable for the ongoing traumatic experiences that happen in these settings. Hurt people hurt people, but healed people heal people.
Jasiyah Gilbert (He/Him)
Jasiyah represents the best borough– Brooklyn! He has a strong passion for justice and using the law to even the playing field for marginalized groups. He graduated with a B.S. in Law & Paralegal Studies and he hopes to eventually go to law or business school. Jasiyah knows that the harmful effects of congregate settings are something that we can’t turn a blind eye to– we have to hold these institutions to a higher standard and do what’s best for our youth and young adults. He hopes that one day congregate settings is no longer the first option for youth that need support and stability.