The smell of exhaust filled the air as "Mike,” a 16-year-old high school junior, climbed into the family's RV after another long day at school. With nowhere stable to call home, he shuffled between different vehicles and shelters, struggling to keep up with assignments while worrying about where his family would park for the night. His teachers noticed his exhaustion, his grades slipping, and his frequent absences.
A school counselor referred Mike to the Youth Justice Education Clinic (YJEC) at LMU Loyola Law School, where he met a dedicated team of attorneys who not only fought for his educational rights but also connected him with a social worker. That meeting set off a chain of events that changed his life — securing permanent housing, getting the academic support he needed, and having an advocate in court to ensure his voice was heard.
At the heart of Loyola Law School’s Center for Juvenile Law and Policy (CJLP) is the belief that every young client deserves a fair chance at success — not just in the courtroom, but in life. The CJLP houses the Juvenile Justice Clinic (JJC) and YJEC, which provide more than just legal representation for young clients.
Through a holistic advocacy model, Loyola's law clinics incorporate social workers into their teams, recognizing that legal challenges are often intertwined with deeper systemic issues. CJLP’s two social workers, Elyse Kupfer (JJC) and Cindy Galvan (YJEC), are integral to the success of their respective clinics. Whether it’s securing stable housing, accessing mental health services, or ensuring educational accommodations, they play a vital role in supporting juvenile clients beyond the courtroom.
"In addition to helping our clients access resources, the real value of our social work department, in my opinion, is the rapport they build with our clients. Our social workers know the clients, their family’s dynamics, and extralegal needs that impact the strategy of the defense/education case," says YJEC Director Vivian Wong.
CJLP’s holistic model recognizes that addressing these root issues is key to preventing recidivism and improving outcomes for youth. By embedding social workers within the clinics, CJLP ensures that clients receive comprehensive support tailored to their unique circumstances. Their work extends far beyond case management — they provide direct support to clients and families, collaborate with law students and attorneys, and bridge the gap between legal advocacy and essential services.
“As social workers, we help intervene in cycles of violence, lack of support, and trauma that often lead young people into the justice system,” says Elyse Kupfer, social worker at the Juvenile Justice Clinic. “The work we do is unique in that we not only help youth navigate the legal system, but we also focus on ensuring they receive the emotional support and resources needed to break out of these cycles and lead successful lives.”
"Legal advocacy alone isn’t enough — our youth need a holistic approach that recognizes the complexities of their lives,” says Cindy Galvan. “Having a social worker embedded in the clinic means we’re not just advocating in courtrooms; we’re advocating in schools, with families, and within communities.”
CJLP social workers offer a wide range of services tailored to each client’s needs. They conduct bio-psycho-social assessments to understand a young person’s background and challenges, then connect families with vital resources such as housing, counseling, and educational support. Their work also strengthens the clinics’ legal strategies by crafting mitigation materials and recommending alternative rehabilitation plans.
In addition, they guide law students and attorneys in trauma-informed advocacy, assist youth with re-entry planning after detention, and coordinate with schools, mental health providers, and child welfare agencies to ensure comprehensive, community-based support — often reducing the need for probation or further court involvement.
By embedding social workers within its legal clinics, CJLP ensures that juvenile clients receive the comprehensive support they need to break the cycle of system involvement. “Too often, young people in the juvenile system are defined by their mistakes rather than their potential,” says Galvan. “But every single one of them has a story — one shaped by poverty, trauma, disability, and systemic failures. When we bring social work into legal advocacy, we’re shifting the focus from punishment to possibility. We’re saying: this young person is more than what they’ve been through, and they deserve a future.”
"Too often, young people in the juvenile system are defined by their mistakes rather than their potential." - Cindy Galvan
“The most rewarding part of my work,” shares Kupfer, “is seeing our clients transform into thoughtful, gentle young people. It’s not just about avoiding punishment; it’s about witnessing their growth and development when they are given the support they need — emotionally, socially, and legally.”
Learn more about the interdisciplinary work of our Center for Juvenile Law & Policy.