YOUTH JUSTICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

YOUTH JUSTICE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Our Youth Justice Fellows are young women of color enrolled in high school with an interest in improving girls’ access to an equal education. Each earns a small stipend and is paired with a mentor who serves as her justice advocate. Together they develop an actionable justice project meant to transform schools and communities for the better.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

LEARN TO LEAD

ENGAGE YOUR ACTIVISM

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Youth Justice Fellowship program offers Girls of Color an opportunity to participate in a 6-month mentored experience led by dynamic women of color. The Fellowship begins with a 3-day weekend leadership retreat to welcome new Fellows into the Code Switch community. Working as a cohort, they build relationships, learn more about the program, engage in goal setting, and begin the process of developing leadership and advocacy skills. The retreat is followed by bi-weekly sister circles, group mentored experiences, and service opportunities. Additional leadership opportunities are also offered.

Action project grants are awarded to Fellows who successfully present a project launch proposal and a stipend to those who successfully complete the program. The Fellowship culminates in an opportunity for girls to travel with Code Switch as part of the organization’s annual Cultural Immersion Excursion Tour. In 2024 Code Switch will travel to the U.S. American South for a History, Legacy, and Healing Tour. Young women who have a desire to be the change they wish to see in their schools and communities are encouraged to apply. All bi-weekly cohort meetings are held virtually.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Youth Justice Fellowship program offers girls of color an opportunity to participate in a 6-month mentored experience led by dynamic women of color.  The Fellowship begins with a 3-day weekend leadership institute to welcome new Fellows into the Code Switch community.  Working as a cohort, they build relationships, learn more about the program, engage in goal setting, and begin the process of developing leadership and advocacy skills.  The summit is followed by weekly sister circles, group mentored experiences, and service opportunities.  Two additional weekend leadership institutes are also offered.

Action project grants are awarded to fellows who successfully present a project launch proposal and a Fellow stipend to those who successfully complete the program. The Fellowship culminates in a week-long Summer Leadership Academy for Girls of Color, planned and facilitated by the Fellows.  Young women who have a desire to be the change they wish to see in their schools and communities are encouraged to apply.  Due to the pandemic, weekly cohort meetings will be held virtually.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The Code Switch Fellowship program prepares girls to lead change efforts in their community.
Fellows…  ​

Are 14-24 years old and enrolled as sophomore, junior or senior in a U.S. public high school or undergraduate in a college/university

Self-identify as girls or young women of color

Give consent to participate

Have parent/guardian/caregiver consent to participate (if under 18)

Agree to be a peer mentor and be open to group and peer mentorship

Can provide 2 references, with one being from an individual 25 or over

Commit to meeting weekly from January – June, for 2.5 hours, on a day of the week and time mutually agreed upon by the cohort

Are able to self-transport to meeting sites (if in-person)

Have an open-mind, loving heart, and deep desire to learn more about the racialized experiences and Herstories of women of color, youth-led organizing, restorative advocacy, education policies shaping the school-to-prison pipeline, and the skills necessary to develop and lead community-based action projects

Successfully complete the application process

PROGRAM TIME COMMITMENT

Girls and young women accepted as Fellows will be expected to attend and participate in bi-weekly two hour meetups, monthly mentored experiences, occasional service opportunities, and a weekend leadership retreat to kick off the Fellowship. Occasionally, fellows will have the opportunity to attend national conferences as a group. These events are not mandatory, but attendance is strongly encouraged. As a culminating experience, fellows will have an opportunity to travel with Code Switch to Ghana. A detailed program schedule with all required dates of participation will be provided during the application process, and again during the opening leadership development retreat weekend.

PROGRAM TIME COMMITMENT

The program requires a minimum six-month commitment. In addition to weekly meetings, girls accepted as fellows will be expected to attend and participate in monthly mentored experiences, occasional service opportunities, and a weekend leadership retreat to kick off the fellowship. Occasionally, fellows will have the opportunity to attend national conferences as a group. These events are not mandatory, but attendance is strongly encouraged. As a culminating experience, fellows will help co-plan and facilitate the Overachievers Luncheon as well as have an opportunity to travel with Code Switch abroad. A detailed program schedule with all required dates of participation will be provided during the application process, and again during the opening leadership development weekend.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process typically unfolds as listed below.

  • Applications Open

  • Information Sessions

  • Applications Due

  • Application Review

  • Phone Interviews

  • Virtual Panel Interviews

  • Reference Check

  • Decision Letters

  • 3-Day Leadership Institute

HOW TO APPLY

Girls interested in applying would be asked to do one of two things, however, Fellowship Applications are currently closed for the 2023-2024 program year, as current fellows work to develop and launch their social justice action projects.

Use the button below to nominate a future Fellow and we will send an invitation for the person you nominate to apply

Submit the Youth Fellows application if open. If 18 or under, a nomination is also required.

If you missed applying for the 2023 Fellowship, we recommend following us on social media and subscribing to our email list, so you are notified when future applications go live. Contact us at info@codeswitch.org with questions.

Please Note!

Black girls negatively impacted by over policing, exclusionary discipline, an incarcerated parent, school-induced trauma due to racial discrimination, and/or involvement with the juvenile justice system due to minor and/or low level infractions are especially encouraged to apply.

Have questions? Feel free to reach out at info@codeswitch.org.

BE A LEADER!