On January 24, CASES’ new Director of Youth Programs, Rukia Lumumba, spoke at “Our Kids, Our Future,” part of the Justice in Transition – NYC briefing series presented by the Vera Institute for Justice.
“Our Kids, Our Future” featured a panel including Ms. Lumumba as well as Gladys Carrión, Commissioner of the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, Vincent Schiraldi, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Probation, and Hernan Carvente, a research assistant at the Vera Institute. The event was be moderated by Kathleen Horan, Criminal Justice Reporter from WNYC.

“Our Kids, Our Future” is the first in a series of breakfast conversations about the justice system in New York City within the context of the transition of city leadership under the new administration of Mayor Bill de Blasio. This briefing will focus on the progress made in the city’s juvenile justice system over the last 12 years, specifically in terms of helping and engaging young people in the system in improving their life prospects. The panelists will also discuss future directions for the city’s approach to juvenile justice.

CASES is thrilled to welcome Lumumba as our new Director of Youth Programs. She comes to CASES with more than 12 years of experience in youth development and criminal justice. Prior to joining CASES, she was the Director of Youth Services at the Center for Community Alternatives where she oversaw development and management of the Youth Program Unit. She also previously clerked for the Juvenile Service Program of the Washington, D.C., Public Defender Service, where she represented youth detained in juvenile facilities on claims against staff abuse and inhumane living conditions. Lumumba also currently serves on the board of directors of Voices Unbroken, a nonprofit agency providing creative writing workshops to youth in prisons and to foster care youth residing in group homes.

The “Our Kids, Our Future” panel can be seen in full below, courtesy of the Vera Institue.