Our Mission

To create better lives for generations of children and youth by reforming the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Vision

Our vision is that all children, youth, and young adults are healthy, safe and thriving; cared for by their community; valued as they are; and have a sense of belonging. This vision, which will be realized upon the fulfillment of our mission, guides our work and moves us towards what is possible for our communities and our world.

Equity Statement

“Our mission is to create better lives for generations of children and youth by reforming the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Through this reform we seek a state of racial and ethnic equity – where no child or youth’s racial or ethnic identity predicts, in a statistical sense, how they fare. We understand that racial inequities and injustices are the result of racist policies and practices. We act upon this understanding through our organization-wide commitment to anti-racism – the work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in the political, economic, and social realms in which children and youth live and grow. Our mission and the active work of anti-racism cannot be separated.

– CCYJ board of Directors

Our History

Our Founding President & CEO, Justice Bobbe Bridge, (Ret.)

Justice Bobbe J. Bridge (ret.), is the Founding President & CEO of the Center for Children & Youth Justice (CCYJ). CCYJ was established in February 2006 by Justice Bridge and her husband, Jon. Justice Bridge retired from CCYJ in December 2018, and Rachel Sottile succeeded her as President & CEO upon her retirement. Justice Bridge is relentless in her pursuit of just and equitable systems for Washington’s youth, and forever a part of the fabric of CCYJ.

What We Do

Since its founding nearly 20 years ago, CCYJ has pioneered, developed, and advocated for countless innovations that have led to more compassionate, equitable, and effective support for Washington children, youth, and families.

The Center for Children and Youth Justice (CCYJ) is the only statewide organization focused solely on reforming Washington state’s child welfare and youth legal systems.

OUR EQUITY STATEMENT

We believe that we can save more lifes with you.

To create better lives for generations of children and youth by reforming the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Our strategic priorities up to 2020 are:

Theory of Change

We believe that we can Change and impact lives of more young people with you.

We focus on:

Our Approach

By convening and partnering with parents, advocates, service providers and policymakers, CCYJ develops and advances innovative approaches to systemic change to support kids, stabilize families, and strengthen communities. We work to achieve research-based, data-driven, tangible outcomes for generations of youth.

Partnerships & Engagement

We collaborate with national, state, and local organizations, as well as groups with intersectional interests, to amplify the impact of our collective work. Partner with us to create meaningful change.

Change Work

We work alongside communities to create fair and just systems for children and youth—partnering with stakeholders to design impactful, collaborative solutions. Together, we can reimagine a brighter future for all young people.

Pathways to Stability

We support foster and homeless youth by removing barriers to education, housing, and employment, helping them rebuild their lives and achieve independence.

Research & Resources

We provide in-depth analysis on key issues in child welfare and youth justice, along with valuable resources to inform action and drive change. Explore our latest publications.

Communications

We foster awareness and inspire action for equitable child welfare and youth justice through engaging conversations and content. Visit our blog for insights and updates.

Our Leadership

President & CEO

Rachel Sottile

Rachel Sottile, M.S.

President & CEO, Center for Children & Youth Justice (CCYJ)

Rachel serves as the President & CEO of the Center for Children & Youth Justice (CCYJ), leading communities, our state, and the nation in empowering children and youth, stabilizing families, and strengthening communities through meaningful and lasting justice reform. She is relentlessly committed to developing innovative and creative solutions that bring forth a new future for children, youth, and families for generations to come. With over twenty years of executive leadership experience in the non-profit sector and state government, she catalyzes stakeholders, partners, and the voices of those impacted by injustice and inequity to discover what’s possible and create real and lasting change. CCYJ’s strong foundation, mission-driven intentionality, and fiercely committed staff provided the distinctive elements for CCYJ’s work to thrive, over tripling the organization’s budget under Rachel’s leadership. Rachel grew up in Seattle and is a mother, grandmother (“Nonna”) and dog-mom to her English Springer Spaniel & Yellow Labrador puppy.

Our Board

Partner, Susman Godfrey LLP

Dan Shih, Chair

CCYJ is focused on improving outcomes for the most vulnerable populations: youth in the juvenile justice and foster care systems or at immediate risk of entering those systems. These kids have so much potential, and we as a society need to do much better for them. I’m involved with CCYJ because we are focused on making the maximum impact by improving, reforming, and rethinking approaches to give these at-risk kids the foundation they need to thrive. Read more →

Senior Corporate Counsel, Innovative Interfaces

Shawna Deane, Vice Chair

I joined CCYJ to help change the experiences of young people in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems to meet their unique needs. Foster and homeless children, LGTBQ+ children, and other marginalized communities all experience these systems differently and CCYJ seeks to change the systems with data driven analysis to find innovative solutions that work to meet these needs and advocate for policy change to address the root causes of children and youth entering these systems. When children and families can thrive, the whole community benefits. Read more →

Regional Sales Manager, Trident Seafoods

Mark Maleng, Secretary

My dad’s mission and goal was to prevent kids from entering the criminal justice system, so that they could have the opportunity to reach their full potential. I joined CCYJ’s board to honor my dad’s dream. The work CCYJ does on systems reform helps at-risk children and youth avoid the criminal justice system while also providing them the resources, support system, tools, and guidance they need to navigate this complex world. Read more →

Lobbyist, McBride Public Affairs

Intisar Benge

I joined CCYJ because I believe in its mission and vision. I firmly believe that when children feel safe and valued, they are more able to reach their full potential. Showing children who are negatively impacted by systemic barriers that they are important and that someone genuinely cares can make a life-long impact. CCYJ provides a unique platform to meaningfully and sincerely impact the lives of vulnerable children and families, and I am honored to serve on its Board of Directors. Read more →

Chairman/Counsel Emeritus, Ben Bridge Jeweler

Jon Bridge

I have always harbored a life obligation to make the world just a little bit better. The way to do that is to protect and nurture our youth – – the generation to come, to make sure that those who are left behind and unsheltered are given the same opportunities and safety as those whose parents can care for them. CCYJ is designed to help those youth by modifying the systems that we live under to serve our foster youth, our LGBTQ+ young people and those who are trafficked and manipulated improperly. CCYJ was founded by my better half, Bobbe Bridge to do just that, and I’m proud to support and be part of the organization. Read more →

Clinical Professor, University of Washington

Benjamin Danielson

CCYJ cherishes youth, cherishes all youth; particularly the youth most impacted by our harmful systems. CCYJ doesn’t shy away from the complexity of contexts that lead to this harmful impact. And, CCYJ unequivocally names the fundamental role racism plays in causing harm to youth. CCYJ knows that those most impacted have the best solutions for changing our systems for the better. CCYJ has the inspiring audacity to bridge gaps in our shared understanding – as well as gaps in our complicated systems – to help make sure youth who have faced much hardship see and can attain a bright, fulfilling future. Read more →

Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Matthew Diggs

I joined CCYJ because it is an organization focused on vulnerable youth at critical inflection points in their lives. As a former federal prosecutor, I saw first-hand the lifelong impacts of the welfare, juvenile justice and foster care systems as children and teenagers became adults. CCYJ addresses the unique needs of young people as they work to avoid and navigate systems too often created and administered without a child-centric focus. I am eager to work with an organization seeking to reform these systems and create a better future for children in Washington State. Read more →

Product Manager, Google

Tal Eidelman

Children and youth have limited control over their circumstances and outcomes, especially when they’re facing the welfare and juvenile justice systems. Having volunteered with CCYJ before joining the board, I got to meet amazing people who do an incredible job at creating fair opportunities for young people who are at these vulnerable situations. Read more →

Director of Development, University of Miami Hillel

Terri Green

For over 25 years, I have worked as a leader in the not-for-profit sector. I hope that my expertise in successful grassroots fundraising, community building, and major donor campaigns will help CCYJ fulfill its mission and fulfill my desire to directly support social justice work in our community.

General Counsel, Global Health Labs

Davina Inslee

I have two children and I wish that all children have the same opportunities to develop and grow as my own. I am involved with CCYJ because its mission and work is directly impacting the ability for our most vulnerable children to receive those opportunities.

Devon Hill

I joined CCYJ because I am always looking for ways to contribute in some small way to improving the world around me and people’s lives, whether I’ve met them or not. CCYJ focuses on improving outcomes for the most vulnerable in our society, children and young people who have almost no control over their circumstances but with timely intervention can find paths to become their best selves. I want to be a part of an organization that raises awareness but goes farther to change systems through legislative advocacy, partnering with governments, and building positive programming. Read more →

City of Seattle, Assistant City Attorney

Natasha Khanna

I joined CCYJ because of my own personal experiences as an adoptee. I am passionate about ensuring that children are able to thrive in every way, whether it is working directly with them to make sure they meet their developmental milestones or working to keep them out of the criminal justice system, just like I was given the chance to thrive. Read more →

a senior policy advisor to King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski

Christina Fogg

In my day job, I am a senior policy advisor to King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski, working on issues related to the criminal legal system, youth, and homelessness. I am also a mom to two young kids. From both of these perspectives, I am eager to do more to address the way we protect and serve kids in our community. I know CCYJ by reputation and believe deeply in its mission to improve child welfare and the juvenile justice system in a systemic and integrated way. I am looking forward to devoting my time, resources, and energy to this organization as a board member.Read more →

Assistant United States Attorney in the Terrorism and Violent Crime Unit in the Western District of Washington

Kate Crisham

As a prosecutor who specializes in cases involving human trafficking, I have long admired the work done by Justice Bridge and CCYJ to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children. CCYJ is unique in that it relies on comprehensive data to understand why children become vulnerable to exploitation – and then uses that information to implement model protocols for law enforcements and systems-based advocates to support victims and reduce trafficking. In the course of applying to become a board member, I’ve also had the opportunity to learn more about CCYJ’s other areas of focus, including reducing gang violence and support for children who are unhoused or in the foster care system. I would be honored to be part of an organization that has already done so much to work to reform our child welfare and juvenile systems so that they truly support our most vulnerable and ensure that they have the opportunity to live healthy, productive, fulfilling lives. Read more →