Our Impact
LCYC’s holistic advocacy plays a critical role in keeping young people safe, connected, and housed.
In 2023, LCYC served roughly 860 young people across Washington State. About 200 of the young people served were supported by LCYC attorneys, as members of Washington’s Office of Public Defense Youth Access to Counsel team.
The charts below include data for closed cases only and do not include information on youth connected to us through the Youth Access to Counsel line. In 2023, LCYC closed cases involving 393 youth.
DEMOGRAPHICS OF YOUTH SERVED, 2023
Demographics of youth served in 2023 (closed matters only) can be filtered by practice area. LCYC is appointed to represent youth in child welfare and juvenile court cases. In contrast, immigrant youth and youth seeking services through the Youth Homelessness Program (YHP) connect to LCYC through outreach and referrals. Youth are connected to LCYC through schools, service provider partners, and other supportive adults. LCYC also receives self-referrals from youth.
Demographics of youth served by county through YHP (King, Walla Walla, Skagit, Clark, and Thurston) are reviewed internally to ensure that services are not just available to, but effectively reaching those disproportionately impacted such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth.
LOCATION OF YOUTH SERVED, 2023
The counties in blue reflect the location of youth served. In 2023, LCYC reached youth in 17 different counties, a significant increase over the 11 counties reached in 2022!
LCYC is appointed by the court to represent youth in child welfare and juvenile court matters in King County. In 2023, LCYC also accepted child welfare appointments in Walla Walla County for youth in minor guardianship cases. LCYC’s Youth Homelessness Program (YHP) has staff physically present in King, Walla Walla, Skagit, Clark, and Thurston Counties. Youth connect to YHP through outreach and referrals. LCYC served immigrant youth across multiple counties though a mix of in-person and virtual services to help them obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
Legal Needs, 2023
In 2023, LCYC provided free legal services, from counsel and advice to in-court representation, to about 860 young people in Washington, 12 -24 years in age. LCYC closed cases involving 393 youth (average of 2 legal issues addressed per youth). Please explore the three dashboards below to learn more about the legal issues LCYC addressed for different populations of young people.
Examples of how we support youth:
We help young people connect with safe and stable housing through both in court and outside of court representation.
We advocate in and out of court for youth who are already in the child welfare system, so they stay connected to or placed with family.
We support youth planning for their independence and coming into their full selves, securing identity and documentation needs.
We create legal resources to raise awareness and inform young people of their civil legal rights and options.
““[LCYC attorneys] are a power house team member. They are able to really do what we can’t and communicate in a system in a way that we can’t. It cuts around the corners that we get stuck at a lot. Youth feel really empowered when they have a lawyer on their side.” ”
“LCYC’s services had an immediate, positive impact on clients.”
-MEMConsultants, LLC May 2018
Positive Outcomes
To measure our success and define our approach, we consider (1) the direct services provided and the demographics of the youth we reach; (2) the strength and diversity of our partnerships; and (3) our ability to identify and transform challenges met through direct services into actionable systemic change.
Our direct representation is successful if we have resolved the youth’s legal needs, preserving their rights, interests, and safety. The “success” of most of our legal advocacy is defined by the youth.
We partner with the youth, family members, schools, and community service providers to safely support the youth's goals. We help young people build and strengthen support systems, which will outlast the duration of our legal advocacy.
Youth of color and LGBTQIA+ youth are over represented within all of the systems that LCYC navigates - child welfare, juvenile court, immigration, and youth homelessness.
Behind every number is a young person. We encourage feedback from young people we support and others in the community who engage with LCYC. You can provide feedback via email to our Executive Director, Rhea Yo.