Youth, Rights & Justice - Portland, OR
Oregon's Premier Non-Profit for Children and Families
Dedicated Center on Sandy Boulevard
Youth, Rights & Justice (YRJ) is located in the Kerns / Sullivan's Gulch neighborhood of Northeast Portland. Their offices are at 1785 NE Sandy Blvd, Suite 300, in a professional building that sits along one of the city's main transit corridors. This location is designed to be accessible to the families they serve, situated just east of the Willamette River and close to the Lloyd District. The office provides a safe, welcoming, and child-friendly environment where young clients and parents can meet with their legal teams. As a non-profit organization, the space reflects their mission of service and advocacy, focused on providing dignity to those navigating the complex juvenile justice system. 🏢
Defending the Future
Founded in 1975, Youth, Rights & Justice is Oregon's leading non-profit law firm dedicated exclusively to children and families. They serve as court-appointed Criminal Defense Lawyers for youth in delinquency proceedings and as Family Law advocates for parents and children in the dependency (foster care) system. Their attorneys are experts in Juvenile Law, fighting to keep children in their homes and out of incarceration. YRJ also operates a School Advocacy program, ensuring that students with disabilities or disciplinary issues receive the education they are legally entitled to. They are relentless in their pursuit of racial justice and the dismantling of the school-to-prison pipeline.
Systemic Reform and Support
Beyond individual representation, YRJ is a powerful force for policy change. They advocate for legislative reforms to improve the juvenile justice and child welfare systems in Oregon. Their team includes not just lawyers, but legal assistants and support staff who work holistically to address the needs of the family. They handle appeals for juvenile cases and provide post-conviction relief, such as Expungements of juvenile records, giving young adults a fresh start. Services are generally provided through court appointment or specific grant-funded programs. 📚
- Dependency Defense: Representing parents fighting to reunite with their children in foster care.
- Education Law: Fighting against unfair expulsions and suspensions.
- Appellate Advocacy: Setting legal precedents that protect children's rights.
Advocacy in Action
Youth, Rights & Justice provides high-quality legal representation to those who cannot afford it, ensuring that economic status does not determine access to justice. If you are a young person in trouble or a parent navigating the state system, YRJ is a dedicated ally. Find a lawyer who specializes in the unique rights of youth at their Sandy Blvd office. 🚸
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Location & Access
Primary Address
Located in the historic Kerns neighborhood of Northeast Portland, a vibrant area known for its mixture of commercial districts, residential streets, and popular eateries.
Building Location
Situated inside the historic 3-story Sandy Plaza building (originally built in 1943). It is located near landmarks such as the Buckman Field Park and One Moto Cafe.
Parking Details
Free on-site surface parking is available in the parking lots adjacent to the building (both on the east side on 18th Avenue and west side on 17th Avenue), alongside free neighborhood street parking.
Public Transit
Served by TriMet Route 12 (Barbur/Sandy Blvd); nearest stop is at Northeast Sandy & 18th.
Accessibility / Suite Access
Enter through the main front entrance of the Sandy Plaza building and use the passenger elevator to access the third floor. The offices of Youth, Rights & Justice are located in Suite 300.