We, members of the Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition: cis and trans women, girls, and gender non-conforming people that have experienced incarceration and the dangerous practices of late-night releases in California continue to stand together with our organizational allies, the California Legislature, and now California Governor Gavin Newsom to end the deadly practice of late-night releases.

We, members of the Sister Warriors Freedom Coalition: cis and trans women, girls, and gender non-conforming people that have experienced incarceration and the dangerous practices of late-night releases in California continue to stand together with our organizational allies, the California Legislature, and now California Governor Gavin Newsom to end the deadly practice of late-night releases.

Through grants received by the California Arts Council and San Francisco Arts Commission, YWFC hosted creative writing and audio storytelling workshops that engaged incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, and queer and transgender women and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people in particular, in building voice and building power. Together we created media that challenges perceptions of system-involved women and TGNC and that supports organizing for change. We built siblinghood and community through this work as well.

A majority of the Board of Supervisors signed onto legislation introduced at the April 9, 2019 SF Board of Supervisors meeting to require the closure of San Francisco’s Juvenile Hall by December 2021. Supervisors Shamann Walton, Hillary Ronen and Matt Haney authored the legislation, and Supervisors Gordon Mar, Aaron Peskin and Sandra Lee Fewer have signed on as co-sponsors.

SAN FRANCISCO – The Young Women’s Freedom Center applauds and supports San Francisco Supervisors Hillary Ronen and Shamann Walton’s plans to introduce legislation to mandate the closure of San Francisco’s Juvenile Hall by December 2021, with Supervisor Matt Haney as a co-sponsor. For over 20 years, the YWFC has been working with young women, girls, and transgender or gender non-conforming youth in San Francisco who have been incarcerated in Juvenile Hall and leading community organizing efforts to demand alternatives to incarceration for youth. Most of the organization's staff were once themselves incarcerated in San Francisco’s youth jail and know firsthand how this system is failing our young people.

Let's help our folks inside connect with their loved ones and meet their basic needs. SB 555 will reduce the heavy financial burden placed on the families and support systems of incarcerated individuals.

This Sunday, February 24th, YWFC is hosting Black Girl Be Well Healing & Wellness Retreat.

We are excited to announce that, Jessica Nowlan, Young Women's Freedom Center’s Executive Director, has been selected as a 2019-2021 Leading Edge Fund fellow. Jessica will join eight other bold leaders who are building movements to fundamentally change the odds for, and with, the most disenfranchised Californians.

Join us this Saturday, January 19, 2019, 11:30 am at Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco and support YWFC Executive Director Jessica Nowlan as she takes the stage for the decriminalization and decarceration of women, girls, and TGNC folks of color.

In 2019, we are unveiling a strategic, multi-pronged plan for system transformation focused on the decriminalization and decarceration of young women, girls, and TGNC folks of color. We are grateful for your continued support and hope that you will continue to stand with us as we work to co-create a world where we are all safe #2BFree.In order to move forward, we must honor where we have come. Please share with us in celebrating our accomplishments from the past year.