Akonadi Foundation believes that any successful social justice movement should center and position the next generation of leaders to build the future they and their communities deserve. As we continue to abundantly invest in the well-being and safety of young people, we value working alongside other organizations and leaders in Alameda and San Francisco counties who are deeply committed to reimagining youth justice systems.
That’s why we are excited to share that Akonadi Foundation is participating in the new Journey to Justice initiative in partnership with Zellerbach Family Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, California Wellness Foundation, and the California Funders for Boys and Men of Color (CFBMoC).
Journey to Justice is a learning cohort of systems leaders, advocates, and organizers who are immersing themselves in restorative-centered youth justice practices in New Zealand to unearth new possibilities beyond the limitations of our current systems.
A critical component of Journey to Justice is a visit to New Zealand to learn from the Māori people about their long-held restorative justice practices. New Zealand’s youth justice system incorporates the Māori approach, which prioritizes healing, reconciliation, and alternatives to incarceration—offering powerful lessons on how to divert youth from detentions and create community-based pathways for justice.
We know that we are entering a period of great uncertainty for our communities, our state, and our country. Despite the strides we’ve made to support our young people by investing in youth-led organizing and helping to close youth prisons in California, youth – and particularly youth of color – continue to face challenges such as attaining equitable education, housing, and quality jobs. All of these gaps are contributing to their mental health struggles, as they navigate a rapidly changing region and state.
We are also aware that with recent policy changes, we are at risk of losing some of the momentum California has built in the last several years in juvenile and criminal justice reform. But, we are not deterred by these challenges and instead, hope this initiative provides us with an opportunity to build trust and strengthen relationships across sectors, beliefs, and practices while reflecting on what’s possible when we center the needs and solutions of communities who are directly impacted by the justice system.
We look forward to sharing our learnings, reflections, and experiences with the Akonadi community, as we continue to fight for an equitable Oakland where all youth can thrive. Learn more about the cohort and follow our journey at zff.org/journey-to-justice/.