State Representative Anthony Nolan with youth representatives during the 2026 JJPOC Youth Day. | | |
The Day Connecticut Told Its Youth: We See You
Lessons From the Field: UNH Students Hear from TYJP Alumni
Change Can’t Wait: Youth Leadership in Action
Work Begins with the Social Equity Council
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Partner With Us: Sponsorship Opportunities for Pathways to Success 2026
Meet Our Public Ally: How the Public Allies Program Is Building the Next Generation of Community Leaders
Our 2026 Diane Sierpina Award Recipient: Madeline A. Hall
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The Day Connecticut Told Its Youth:
We See You.
| | Youth participants gather at the Legislative Office Building for JJPOC Youth Day. | | On March 19, 2026, the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee (JJPOC) hosted its second annual Youth Day. This day belonged entirely to young people representing communities and residential programs across the state—including youth from Manson Youth Institution who joined virtually. | | For some young people, this was their first time visiting the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The day began with a luncheon where youth, state representatives, and professionals gathered to connect over shared conversation and a shared table. Governor Ned Lamont joined the luncheon to talk with the youth, share his own professional journey, and offer encouragement. His presence set a tone: this day would not talk at young people. It would talk with them. As the luncheon concluded, the group moved to the hearing room, where the formal program began. | | State Representative Tony Walker opened the panel with a powerful message for youth. | | | |
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"If you can see me, you can be me.."
— Rep. Tony Walker
| | | She turned to the professionals in the room and invited them, one by one, to stand up and tell the youth who they were and what they did. From Chief Justice Raheem Mullins and Commissioner Andrea Barton-Reeves to Interim Commissioner Sharonda Carlos and Representatives Tranae McGee and Anthony Nolan, the room was filled with leaders who mirrored the lived experiences of the youth present. The message was clear and personal, as Rep. Nolan looked directly at the crowd to affirm: "I already see you as being me." | |
Youth Voices Led the Conversation
| | The Career Panel opened with a single question directed at the youth: "What barriers prevent you from reaching your dreams?" Young people described what it costs to get anywhere they need to go. Three buses. Four hours. Walking past car chases at night. All because a bus pass was out of reach. One student laid out the geography plainly: "I live in Hartford, I go to school in East Hartford, and the closest job I could secure is in Glastonbury." At $1.40 every two hours on the bus, ambition comes with a price tag most adults don't think to calculate. | | |
"Everything is out of reach without transportation. "
— Oluwaseyi, Youth Attendee
| | | Counselor Alejandro Rodriguez shares insights as a featured panelist during JJPOC Youth Day. | |
Responding to these challenges, the panel of experts detailed the state’s ongoing efforts to dismantle barriers to career pathways. Cathy Robinson-Patton, VP of Young Adult Services at The WorkPlace, Inc., highlighted the use of immersive VR technology to help youth visualize careers, while Cyndi Wells, Assistant Director at EASTCONN, noted that despite providing essential certifications, there simply isn't enough funding to meet the overwhelming demand. Tom Langan, Chief Justice Officer at DOMUS, and Marcus Paca, Director of Strategic Workforce Partnerships at Nuvance Health, both stressed the importance of building pipelines that mirror the communities they serve, ensuring that by the time a young person leaves a facility, they already know someone is there to support them.
The panel continued with Lisa Simone, Director of ACES Youth Justice and Education Services, who championed educational rights by urging youth to "push those doors in" to claim their legal right to a high school diploma. Deputy Commissioner Charles Hughes of the State Department of Education followed by encouraging students to take ownership of their curricula and request specific programs at their schools. Deion Kelly, Lead Youth Development Coach at Our Piece of the Pie, addressed the "root" of the issue by calling for trauma-informed resources and transportation investment, while Melinda Clarke, Program Manager at CPA Hartford REGIONS, and Alejandro Rodriguez, Re-Entry Counselor at Manson Youth Institution, detailed a "Day One" ecosystem of vocational training and ID procurement designed to empower youth from the moment they enter a facility until the minute they leave.
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The Youth Closed the Day
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As the afternoon closed, the microphone returned to the youth. One young leader challenged the "trust gap," asking how youth can thrive when employers see their zip code as a lack of potential. A young man from Manson Youth Institution emphasized that support must follow youth home: "Everyone should have support when they come home." The calls for reform were specific and visionary: A professional made the case for early financial literacy as a tool for generational wealth, while other participants pushed for schools to expand career pathways beyond the standard few. The session concluded with a collective call for business financing, firefighting, and culinary programs to be integrated into the core school day.
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A Special Thank You
JJPOC Youth Day would mean nothing without the courage and energy the young people brought into that room. A resounding thank you to every youth and organization that showed up in person and virtually at Manson Youth Institute, ready to be seen and heard.
To learn more about the JJPOC, visit our website or contact JJPOC Senior Project Manager, Namandje Wali at nwali@newhaven.edu.
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| Lessons From the Field: UNH Students Hear from TYJP Alumni | | Transforming Youth Justice Program Alumni and University of New Haven students gather for the Inaugural Career Summit. Alumni (L-R): Tim Reardon, Michael Eden, Carlos Collazo, Janessa Stawitz, Carlos Santana, Taurien Sowell, Julie Doughtrey, Yecenia Casiano, Veronica Ruiz, Marco Romero, David Zannelli, Nordia Napier, Ivy Erazo, Ann Taylor, William Seals, and Michaelangelo Palmieri. | | On February 26, 2026, the Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI) hosted it’s inaugural Career Summit, for University of New Haven students providing an opportunity for them to directly engage with professionals working in the field of youth justice. The Summit included the experiences of five alumni of our Transforming Youth Justice Program (TYJP) as they participated in Architects of Change: Career Pathways in Youth Justice, a structured fireside chat designed to bridge academic preparation and professional practice. Panelists reflected on the formative experiences that shaped their careers, the mentorship relationships that influenced their trajectories, and the critical decisions that defined their professional paths. They also offered substantive guidance for students pursuing careers in youth justice and public service. | | |
Marco Romero — Supervisor for Juvenile Matters, Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division
Carlos Collazo — Executive Director, Madison Avenue Community Clubhouse – Wakeman Boys & Girls Club
Lindsey Guerrero — Supervisory Assistant Public Defender, Connecticut Division of Public Defender Services
William Seals — Director of Interagency Navigation, Department of Children and Families; Owner/Clinical Director, Path to Renewal Therapy Services, LLC
David Zannelli — Acting Police Chief, New Haven Police Department
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After the panel, students had the chance to sit down one-on-one with 16 TYJP alumni working across education, law enforcement, nonprofits, state agencies, and public defense. Alumni shared not just what they do, but how they got there, what they struggled with, and how they kept going. Students walked away with new connections, mentorship opportunities, and a clearer picture of what their own path might look like.
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We want to extend a special shoutout to our student associations whose contributions made this event possible: the American Criminal Justice Association, Psychology Club, Victimology Club, Graduate Forensic Science Club, Career Development Center, and UNew Haven Closet Pantry.
| | Training and Technical Assistance | | Change Can’t Wait: Youth Leadership in Action | | |
Top Row: Change Can't Wait Fellows, Luis Mota, Opportunity Academy Teacher, Thea Montañez, Senior Advisor to Governor Ned Lamont, Lillian Bertram, Coordinator of Organizational Capacity, Our Piece of the Pie. Shelby Henderson, TYJI Community Partnership and Mobilization, Project Manager.
Bottom Row: Michaelangelo Palmeri, Training and Technical Assistance Senior Project Manager, Shamare Holmes, Director of Community Engagement, Connecticut Sun, Deion Kelly, Youth Development Specialist, Our Piece of the Pie.
| | The Change Can’t Wait (CCW) Fellowship and Pop-Up Sessions have been a powerful youth leadership project that was developed through a partnership with the Connecticut Sun – WNBA and Our Piece of the Pie, Inc. Together, these partners worked to create opportunities for young people in the Greater Hartford area to explore leadership, advocacy, and community change while connecting with professionals who are making an impact across the state. Through interactive workshops, conversations, and site visits, students gain the tools and inspiration to become informed leaders, advocates, and changemakers in their own communities. | | |
Learning from guest speakers is central to the CCW Fellowship. Victoria Christgau and Khaiim Kelly, aka Rapoet, from the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence, introduced fellows to Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation, rooted in Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy. This session showed how nonviolence can resolve conflict, strengthen communities, and advance social change.
CCW Fellows also explored civic engagement and advocacy through sessions with the Center for Children's Advocacy, where Stella Rose Dugue discussed how advocacy can amplify young people's voices. Shelby Henderson of the Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI) introduced students to the legislative process, which was further reinforced during a guided tour of the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building led by the League of Women Voters of Connecticut. During the visit, students learned about the Capitol's history, observed the House and Senate chambers, and gained insight into how legislation is developed and debated.
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CCW Fellows engaged with several Connecticut state government leaders. Thea Montañez, Senior Advisor to Governor Ned Lamont, emphasized the importance of perseverance in public service. Chief Justice Raheem Mullins discussed the court's role and his leadership journey. State Treasurer Erick Russell explained his path and how financial leadership creates opportunities for communities. Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas highlighted the Power of Civics and shared her professional journey.
Additional learning sessions for the CCW Fellowship focused on building practical advocacy and communication skills. Dr. Danielle Cooper of TYJI led a workshop on data gathering and fact-checking, helping students understand the importance of credible information in shaping effective advocacy. Representatives from the Connecticut Sun, Shamare Holmes and Asia McMillian, guided students through a session on storytelling, brand identity, and image awareness, highlighting how narrative and media can be powerful tools for social change.
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Throughout the Fellowship, students have been applying these lessons by developing their own digital media campaigns. Each participant has selected an important issue to them, such as juvenile justice disparities and diversion opportunities, youth employment, homelessness, economic disparities, or the importance of mentorship, and each is creating a campaign to raise awareness and inspire dialogue within their communities.
Complementing the CCW Fellowship, Change Can’t Wait Pop-Up Sessions were held at Hartford Residential Center and at Opportunity Academy at Our Piece of the Pie, Inc., bringing similar learning experiences to additional youth. Workshops led by Yahkeem Howard of Elm Village explored entrepreneurship and economic opportunity, while Essence Divine and Luis Ortiz of ConnCAN introduced students to the fundamentals of advocacy. Dr. Kevin Paulin of Winning Ways Inc. facilitated a financial literacy session, and Cherell Banks, an Alumni of TYJI’s Transforming Youth Justice Program, joined Rapoet from the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence to lead a conflict resolution workshop grounded in Kingian Nonviolence.
Across the CCW Fellowship and pop-up sessions, the program continues to demonstrate the power of collaboration and mentorship. By connecting youth with leaders from government, advocacy organizations, community nonprofits, and professional sports, Change Can’t Wait is helping cultivate a new generation of young people who are informed, confident, and ready to lead change in their communities. This project would not be possible without the support and collaboration of these partners. Special thanks to Shamare Holmes and Asia McMillan from the Connecticut Sun, and to Lillian Bertram and Deion Kelly from Our Piece of the Pie, Inc.
| | For more information, contact Michaelangelo Palmieri, Technical Assistance and Training Senior Project Manager at mtpalmieri@newhaven.edu. | | Work Begins with the Social Equity Council | | Grant managers, Social Equity Council representatives and TYJI staff attended the Social Equity Orientation. | | We are excited to announce our 18-month (Jan 2026 – June 2027) partnership with the Social Equity Council (SEC), a state agency, on an equity-focused grant initiative called R2 Grants. The SEC promotes equitable economic prosperity by supporting Social Equity Entrepreneurs and reinvesting in communities most impacted by the war on drugs to help them thrive and prosper. The SEC’s R2 Program is funded through licensing fees and revenue generated from Connecticut’s adult-use cannabis market and dedicated to social equity initiatives. Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-420f, these funds are deposited into the Cannabis Social Equity and Innovation Fund Account and administered by the Council to support community reinvestment, workforce development, and technical assistance along with initiatives consistent with the purposes of the R2 Program. Through targeted reinvestment, the Council’s R2 Grants will strengthen identified communities and create new opportunities for residents. Grant recipients eligible for R2 include nonprofit community-based organizations with 3 or more years of experience providing programs aligned with one or more of the program priorities and who provide services within designated disproportionately impacted areas. | | |
Investments will be directed across ten priority regions in Connecticut:
Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford/East Hartford, Meriden, New Britain, New Haven/East and West Haven, New London/Norwich/Windham, Norwalk, Waterbury, and Stamford. Together, these regions include 194 of the state’s 237 disproportionately impacted census tracts. The R² Program operates under the Equitable Evaluation Framework and aligns investments with the Council’s strategic priorities: economic development, reentry initiatives for justice-impacted youth and adults, and youth initiatives.
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Through this collaboration, TYJI will deliver tailored training and technical assistance for two distinct audiences. Grant Managers are responsible for oversight, compliance, and sub-awarding dedicated state funding to communities, and the Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are the non-profits receiving sub-awarded grant funds for programs in the identified communities.
On March 31, 2026, TYJI, alongside the Social Equity Council, provided onboarding training to the Grant Managers on the program, tools and expectations. The conversation got details from the Grant Managers on their questions and concerns as they did a review of a mock application utilizing the evaluation rubric.
Capacity-building training for the CBOs is being developed by University of New Haven faculty on Performance Data Evaluation Basics, Financial Management, Operational Effectiveness, Project Management, AI for Non-Profits, Establishing Strategic Partnerships, and Grant Writing Strategies.
| | Partner With Us: Sponsorship Opportunities for Pathways to Success 2026 | | |
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Registration info to follow
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Connecticut Convention Center
100 Columbus Blvd
Hartford, CT 06103
| | The Tow Youth Justice Institute invites you to join us in becoming a sponsor in our annual Pathways to Success: Trailblazers and Innovators in Youth Justice Conference. | |
Why Sponsor Pathways to Success?
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This year's theme, Connecting Systems: Wellness, Opportunities, and Justice, explores systems in education, health, justice, and community can work together to support the physical, cognitive, social, and economic well-being of our state's young people. Approximately 350 participants will gather from across Connecticut, representing education, behavioral health, juvenile justice, social services, policy, and community-based organizations.
As a sponsor, your organization will be recognized through logo placement on conference materials and signage, acknowledgment in our digital promotions, and public recognition during the event for select sponsorship tiers, positioning your mission alongside the practitioners, policymakers, and community leaders who are shaping Connecticut's youth-serving systems.
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New Sponsorship Opportunities
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Translation Services
We are introducing a new sponsorship opportunity focused on language access. To ensure our Spanish-speaking participants can engage fully, we are seeking a sponsor to fund real-time interpretation during sessions and bilingual conference materials. If your organization values linguistic equity and community inclusion, we welcome your partnership.
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Sponsor Youth Attendance
We are also offering organizations the opportunity to directly fund conference attendance for youth, covering registration, travel, and related costs so that the young people most affected by these systems can be part of the conversation.
| | To explore available tiers, we encourage you to view our sponsorship package and complete and a member of our team will be in touch within five business days. | | | |
Stay Connected
Follow us on social media for early access to speaker announcements and registration updates. For questions, please contact, Izarelli Mendieta-Martinez, Communications Coordinator at imendietamartinez@newhaven.edu.
| | Meet Our Public Ally: How the Public Allies Program Is Building the Next Generation of Community Leaders | | At the Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI), we believe that building stronger communities starts with empowering future leaders. That is why we are proud to partner with Public Allies, a nationally recognized program that has been developing community leaders since 1994. | |
What is a Public Ally ?
Public Allies are paid apprenticeships that help new leaders make a difference in their communities. For over 30 years, it has trained more than 10,000 Allies across the country through hands-on nonprofit work, leadership training, a supportive peer group, and ongoing mentorship.
Allies work with nonprofit organizations on a variety of issues, including youth development, education, workforce development, community health, and the arts. The program helps talented people become leaders while also supporting the organizations they work with.
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Meet Our Ally: Qurana Guy
Qurana brings a diverse professional background to the team. Her career spans retail, banking, healthcare, education, and direct community service, giving her firsthand experience working with diverse populations across multiple sectors.
Her experience has also shaped her into a professional who leads with empathy, adaptability, and a commitment to service. For Qurana, who wanted to make a real difference, Public Allies was the right opportunity.
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"What drew me to public service and community-focused work are my lived experiences and a deep sense that part of my purpose is to guide and support others using the lessons I've learned along the way." | | |
During her apprenticeship, Qurana has been assisting TYJI's Social Equity Council Project by building capacity, leading training sessions for community organizations, conducting research, coordinating programs, and working with stakeholders and partners. She is also working to improve her skills in public speaking, facilitation, and leadership.
Her goal for the end of her term, Qurana wishes to “leave behind something tangible — whether it be a framework, a set of practices or a recommendation — that reflects thoughtful collaboration and can be sustained beyond her term."
When she is not working, Qurana enjoys spending time in nature by walking and hiking, traveling to new places, and writing children's books. She is already a self-published author and plans to write more as her career grows.
We are happy to have Qurana on our team.
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Interested in learning more about hosting a Public Ally?
Visit the Public Allies website to learn how the program could work for your organization.
| | Our 2026 Diane Sierpina Award Recipient: Madeline A. Hall | | |
We are honored to introduce Madeline A. Hall as the recipient of this year’s Diane Sierpina Award. Her profound dedication to the youth justice reform and her hands-on work within our community truly embodies the spirit of this award. Madeline’s story is one of leadership and desire to create a more just and supportive society for at-risk youth.
For Madeline, the drive to enter this field began with a desire to make a difference in the world. “I’ve always known I wanted to work with young people” she shares “and when I discovered a criminal justice degree with a concentration in juvenile delinquency and prevention it was the perfect career for me”. Her academic studies, combined with direct experience, opened her eyes to the urgent need for systematic change. “Upon taking classes centered around juvenile justice, as well as gaining hands on experience… I have been able to witness firsthand the ways in which the justice system desperately needs reformation.”
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"Upon taking classes centered around juvenile justice, as well as gaining hands on experience… I have been able to witness firsthand the ways in which the justice system desperately needs reformation.” | | |
During her recent internship with the Connecticut Judicial Branch, Madeline has taken a proactive leadership role bridging her academic insight with practical application. By engaging directly with probation services, she observes how policies and procedures affect young people in real time, deepening her understanding of the system’s flaws and gaps. Madeline shared how her experience as an intern has prepared her for “the most active role yet in working to reform the youth justice system”.
While she has her sights set on large-scale reform, Madeline is most proud of the personal impact she is already making. She understands that behind every case file is a young person who needs to be seen and heard. “I work my hardest to ensure that they don’t feel like a number in the system, but that they feel as though they have a sincerely committed person, dedicated to helping them navigate the juvenile justice system”.
| | Madeline Hall met with Erika Nowakoski, TYJI Executive Director, Diane Sierpina, The Tow Foundation Program Director, Donna Pfrommer, TYJI Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Professor William Carbone, TYJI Senior Executive Director. | | |
As a student responsible for her college tuition, Madeline explains the Diane Sierpina Award has been instrumental in providing financial relief. In her own words, “It has given me the opportunity to worry less about my financial hardships, and has, in return, given me more time to focus on my academics.”
With the support of this award in honor of Diane Sierpina and made possible by the Tow Foundation, Madeline is empowered to continue developing the skills and knowledge necessary to become a future leader in youth justice reform. We are incredibly proud to support her journey and cannot wait to see profound impact she will continue to have on our community.
| | Coming Stories in the Next TYJI Newsletter! | |
- TCB and JJPOC Policy Updates
- TYJI Alumni Network Event Highlight
- TYJP Cohort 10 Celebration Highlight
| | The Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI) is a university, state, and private partnership dedicated to transforming the systems that impact youth, young adults up to age 26, and their families. Please visit our website at towyouth.newhaven.edu and follow us on social media @towyouth. | | Follow us on social media | | | | |
