THE JUVENILE JUSTICE COALITION STRIVES TO PROVIDE A YOUTH-CENTERED ORGANIZATIONAL VEHICLE FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH POLICY ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND EDUCATION, AND NURTURING LEADERSHIP. WE WORK IN COMMUNITIES TO PROTECT AT- RISK YOUTH FROM BECOMING INCARCERATED, WORK WITH CURRENTLY INCARCERATED YOUTH TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE AND THAT THEIR NEEDS ARE MET, AND WORK WITH RECENTLY RELEASED YOUTH TO ENSURE THEY DO NOT RECIDIVATE. WE ALSO HAVE CLOSE PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO WORK SIMILAR TO OURS IN ORDER TO PRESENT A UNITED FRONT FOR CHANGE, WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES TO SERVE AS A WATCHFUL EYE TO PROTECT THE YOUTH IN THEIR CARE, AND MEET WITH LEGISLATORS TO MAKE REAL, LASTING CHANGE TO THE LAWS IN OHIO THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT YOUNG PEOPLE.