Youth Justice Network
Sophie Mindes is a dedicated professional with a strong background in grants management and writing, currently serving as the Grants Manager and Senior Writer at Youth Justice Network since August 2020. Previously, Sophie worked as a Grants Writing Manager for Year Up New York | New Jersey, where responsibilities included producing high-quality development materials and collaborating with fundraisers. Experience also includes freelance writing for The Current Newspapers, and a Program Officer role at Liberty's Promise, focusing on after-school programs for immigrant high school students. Sophie's educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Literature, Creative Writing, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health from New York University.
Youth Justice Network
Youth Justice Network was founded in 1990, at the alternative high school on Rikers Island, to address the disproportionate incarceration of young people of color and support them as they returned home. YJN’s mission is to break cycles of incarceration and build a more equitable justice system. For more than 30 years, YJN has supported young people whose lives intersect with NYC jails and justice systems by providing them with individualized advocacy, mentorship, and opportunities to grow, thrive, and lead.