LMU Loyola Law School’s Youth Justice Education Clinic (YJEC) has launched an exciting new partnership with Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC) to provide much-needed education legal services to underserved youth and families in Los Angeles. KYCC is a community-based nonprofit supporting children and families in the areas of education, health, housing, and finances in the Koreatown community since 1975. Through this collaboration, YJEC aims to expand access to legal resources for students, ensuring they receive the educational support and protections they deserve.
"One of the best ways to ensure that community members know their rights and can advocate for themselves is by providing trainings,” says Stacy Nuñez ’22, former Equal Justice Works Fellow and current YJEC staff attorney. “Information on education rights is not always accessible to the communities who need it most, so our trainings are a great way to break down the jargon and lay out the law in an easier-to-understand manner. Although, legally, it is the school district’s responsibility to inform parents and guardians of their and their children’s rights, it unfortunately does not always happen.” YJEC specializes in advocating for young people of color with disabilities, representing clients in individualized education program (IEP) meetings, due process hearings, and expulsion hearings. The clinic’s work is critical in preventing the disproportionate exclusion and criminalization of marginalized students in the education system. KYCC is a community-based nonprofit supporting children and families in the areas of education, health, housing, and finances in the Koreatown community since 1975.
The partnership’s first initiative includes a series of bilingual “Know Your Rights” trainings hosted by KYCC’s Wilton FamilySource Center, a community hub providing a myriad of social, educational, employment, and family support services designated to assist low-income families. These trainings, conducted in both Spanish and English, will educate families on their rights regarding special education, school discipline policies, foster and probation youth rights, regional center advocacy, and protections against discrimination based on race, disability, and gender identity.
“At YJEC, we believe that every young person deserves an equitable education and the resources to thrive,” says YJEC social worker Cindy Galvan. “In today’s political climate, where students of color, immigrant families, and youth with disabilities face increasing barriers to education and legal protections, our work is more urgent than ever. By partnering with KYCC, we are expanding access to critical legal advocacy for families who may not otherwise know their rights. Our goal is to empower students and parents with the knowledge and support they need to navigate the education system and advocate for their children’s futures.”
On February 25, YJEC held its first virtual training with KYCC. Recognizing that many communities in Los Angeles are monolingual Spanish speakers, YJEC has ensured that these trainings are fully accessible to non-English speakers by offering live interpretation and Spanish-language materials. The virtual format via Zoom further increases accessibility, allowing families to participate from the comfort of their homes while receiving legal education in their preferred language.
The first training walked parents through understanding their rights regarding individualized safety plans, bullying prevention, and protection against school policing.
“As YJEC grows, we continue to build relationships with community-based organizations in order to reach students and families who want and need our services,’ says Interim YJEC director Vivian Wong. “YJEC has always been an expert in the education rights of systems-involved youth, but now we are expanding our expertise to new intersections in order to meet this political moment.”
YJEC plans to strengthen its network of partnerships with nonprofits, regional centers, and educational institutions to increase outreach and provide more comprehensive support to youth facing systemic barriers. The clinic will also focus on supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals and advocating for educational equity within the juvenile legal system. Learn more about YJEC.