Defenders of Youth Rights
The Gault Center is the only national organization dedicated to supporting a community of youth defenders and advocates who elevate the rights, interests, and perspectives of young people. The Gault Center provides cutting-edge training, transformative policy, and strategic materials to advance a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive in supportive, healthy, flourishing communities.
The Current Reality
National in Scope, Local in Practice
Through our regional centers, we weave together youth defense at every level—from the courtroom to the capitol—to advance youth rights and a future where all young people are free to thrive. Our regional centers are bridges, connecting strategies and relationships across our community and carrying the voices of defenders and young people from every corner of the country into statewide and national change efforts. Connect with our regional centers using the map below.
- All
- Mid-Atlantic Youth Defender CenterDistrict of Columbia, Maryland, and VirginiaExplore
- South Central Youth Defender CenterArkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and TexasExplore
- Great Lakes Youth Defender CenterIllinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and WisconsinExplore
- New England Youth Defender CenterConnecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and VermontExplore
- Northeast Youth Defender CenterDelaware, New Jersey, New York, and PennsylvaniaExplore
- Southern Youth Defender CenterAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and US Virgin IslandsExplore
- Southwest Youth Defender Center Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and UtahExplore
- Western Youth Defender Center Alaska, American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, and WashingtonExplore
- North Central Youth Defender CenterIdaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and WyomingExplore
Our Work
Our Impact
"The Gault Center is my youth defense family! The folks in the Gault community are my friends, my colleagues, and my co-conspirators for justice for young people. I can always turn to them for support, resources, and inspiration."
Melanie R., MA Youth Defender
"The youth shared how eye-opening [The Gault Center's convening of the Kansas Statewide Youth Defense Workgroup] was, not just in understanding the system better, but in realizing the influence they can have when they step into a room prepared and present. We turned this into a leadership development moment, talking about how to read the room, how to respectfully elevate their voices in team settings, and making the most of every opportunity to create change.
Thank you again for your intentionality and partnership, it’s moments like this that remind us why this work matters."
Desmond B.-W., Lead Organizer of Progeny Youth
“The Gault Center has for decades been at the forefront of the movement to make youth justice more fair, effective and equitable. I’m a better advocate for the youth I represent because of the trainings and resources they have provided."
Keiler B., OR Youth Defender
Strategic Priorities
CHILDREN’S DEFENSE SPECIALIZATION
Cultivating a community of defenders who represent youth by growing expertise, leadership, and training opportunities
YOUTH RIGHTS AND EQUITY
Tearing down structural racism and confronting bias and unequal treatment of children in the court system
DEFENDER-DRIVEN ADVOCACY
Ensuring children’s right to counsel is achieved in justice reform efforts from the local to the federal level
YOUTH, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Engaging youth and their circles of support to strengthen defenders and communities, while building bridges to common ground and collaboration
I'm a youth defender or defense community member
I work in the juvenile court system
I have been impacted by the system
Take Action
Support Youth Justice
Every year, thousands of young people enter the legal system for behavior better addressed outside of court—disproportionately impacting Black, Latino/a, and Indigenous youth. Youth defenders stand between these children and lifelong harm, but they need our support, and we need yours. The Gault Center equips defenders with the training, tools, and advocacy they need to protect children’s rights and open pathways to opportunity. Together, we’re building a future where every child has a real chance at justice and opportunity.
The Gault Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization #02-0620456, so your donation is tax deductible.
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1800 M St NW
FT1, Box #33604
Washington, DC 20033
202.452.0010
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