About Us
About Us
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“Nobody listens to us – not our lawyer, not the judge, not the people taking care of us. Nobody cares what we have to say.”
“Nobody talks with us or listens to us. They just talk at us.”
“If my lawyer would just come and talk to me, I might understand what is going on.”
Generation to Generation is a 501(c)(3) organization.
It was hearing statements like this from young people that made us want to make sure children have a voice. It had us start Generation to Generation to encourage generations to listen to each other. It is in this way that we believe we can make the world better for children. Providing children with a voice builds their self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Better programs can be developed to meet the needs of children if we listen to their concerns and interests. Children have a good sense of what they need. By encouraging youth to talk about their needs and experiences, they are more likely to stand up for themselves and speak out against injustice. They grow into adults who advocate for themselves and their communities.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) outlines human rights that should be promised to all children around the world. One of the most important rights outlined is the right for children to have a voice in matters that concern them. This includes health care, education, and justice decisions, among others. Even though the United States remains the only country that has not ratified the Convention, it is still important for children to be heard and listened to in the U.S.
Our goal is not merely to create programs for children and youth, but to build them with children -- listening to their voices, valuing their experiences, and involving them directly in shaping solutions that affect their lives.
We Honor James Bell: Advocate and Mentor
James Bell (1954 – 2025) was a mentor and friend to many. A strong advocate for youth and justice equity for all, James started his career as an attorney at San Francisco’s Youth Law Center where he represented youth in institutions and litigated conditions of confinement. After serving as a youth advocate for 20 years he founded the Haywood Burns Institute in 2001. The Burns Institute became a national leader in promoting justice equity, working with stakeholders in over 300 counties across the United States.
James also consulted on youth justice for the African National Congress (South Africa) and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, and as an advisor to Holland and England on their justice systems’ overrepresentation of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.
His honors include a Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship, the Livingstone Hall Award for Outstanding Juvenile Advocacy (American Bar Association), the Clinton White Attorney of the Year Award (Charles Houston Bar Association, Advocate of the Year (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention), and the Moral Leadership Against Injustice Award (Delancey Street Foundation).
James was more than these accolades. He had a strong commitment to his family and friends. He offered support and guidance, had a huge heart and a wonderful laugh. His strength, wisdom, and his drive to fight racism within our systems is difficult to match. His work and what he gave to us will be remembered for years to come.
He inspired and mentored many of us to be strong activists for youth of color and to continue to work to improve our (in)justice system to becoming a just and equitable system. He will be greatly missed.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Generation to Generation complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Generation to Generation does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
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