A Leadership Institute for Juvenile Justice Advocates

[UPDATE: According to the NJJN, the Institute must be postponed until 2011. If you want to participate -- or be involved in the planning -- email Annie Balck. - Ed.] 
Anyone who has worked in the juvenile justice knows how hard it is to recruit, organize, and train advocates from the community to implement juvenile justice reform. But we also know they're out there. 
Fortunately, the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) is here to help.
This summer, the NJJN is offering its first ever Juvenile Justice Leadership Development Institute. They want to

create the foundation for a more effective juvenile justice reform movement by developing a strong base of well prepared and well trained advocates and organizers who reflect the communities most affected by juvenile justice system practices and policies, with a particular focus on cultivating and supporting leaders of color, youth and family members.

The Institute will be held in New Orleans July 11-16, and will include a year of distance learning and being mentored.  Applications are due March 12, 2010. NJJN will pay transportation to and from New Orleans for those who get accepted to the program.

Here's a little more about what they're looking for:

The Institute seeks to reach emerging advocates and organizers with proven leadership potential who have a passion and demonstrated promise for transformation of the juvenile justice system. Applications will be accepted from:

• People of color;
• Youth with direct system experience; and
• Family members with direct system experience.

The instructions also specify that "each applicant must be supported by two nominators who can speak to the applicant’s experience as an advocate for social justice reform."
What're you waiting for? You can learn more about the Juvenile Justice Leadership Development Institute here, or download the application.
Related Post:

• Can't make the Institute but want to know more about advocacy and reform in the juvenile justice system? Here's a post with helpful information about how to engage one of the most powerful advocacy groups: families.