Transforming Justice. Transforming Lives.

The current justice system often deepens harm instead of healing it. In Texas, youth as young as 10 can be prosecuted in juvenile court, and 14-year-olds can be tried as adults. Detention increases the likelihood of reoffending. Incarceration shortens life expectancy. And the financial cost to taxpayers is staggering.

LSJA is proving there is a better way.

Through its Transformative Justice model, LSJA provides youth with:

• Stabilization support (housing, food, transportation)
• Education and GED completion
• Workforce training in high-demand industries
• Paid internships and job placement
• Ongoing coaching and peer mentorship

The results speak clearly:

• 100% of workforce participants earned an industry-recognized credential
• Graduates secured employment averaging $19/hour with benefits
• Program participants maintain a recidivism rate under 10%—dramatically lower than state averages

These outcomes don’t just transform individual lives. They strengthen public safety and reduce long-term taxpayer costs.

LSJA leads reform at the local and state level by:

• Exposing unsafe and unconstitutional detention conditions
• Defeating proposals to merge youth facilities with adult prisons
• Securing over $1 billion in funding for rehabilitative youth facilities
• Convening coalitions to develop 30+ policy recommendations for system reform

By mobilizing youth voices, training community stakeholders, and influencing legislative change, LSJA ensures reform is rooted in equity, dignity, and data.

LSJA upholds constitutional protections for young people through high-impact legal advocacy.

In 2024 alone, LSJA:

• Donated more than 6,000 pro bono hours
• Represented survivors of human trafficking
• Trained over 1,100 attorneys and practitioners statewide
• Provided free legal resources to improve youth defense across Texas

Each case isn’t just about one individual, it’s about setting precedent, correcting injustice, and preventing harm for thousands more.

The Bigger Picture

The goal is not incremental improvement.

The goal is transformation.

When we invest in young people instead of incarcerating them, we don’t just strengthen their futures – we strengthen the future of Texas.