Advocacy, Justice, and Hope Event – Thursday, September 12, 2024

Youth Law Center Celebrates its First 45 Years!

On a picture-perfect late summer evening on Thursday, September 12 in San Francisco, the Youth Law Center celebrated its first 45 years at its Advocacy, Justice, and Hope event. Held at the gorgeous, multi-level venue the Pearl in the Dogpatch, one of the City’s hip neighborhoods, Youth Law Center friends old and new gathered and noshed on delectable lite bites from Foxtail Catering and Events on the Pearl’s rooftop.

The festivities continued with MC Liam Mayclem, Board President Joy Singleton and Board Member Howard Talenfeld kicking off the speaking program. They were followed by inspirational remarks from Executive Director Jennifer Rodriguez, who reflected on her personal history with the Youth Law Center while recognizing her two predecessors in attendance, Mark Soler and Carole Shauffer, and paying homage to the late Loren Warboys, who was staff attorney then Managing Director from 1979 until his untimely passing in 1999. Recent community college graduates Matt Pratap and Yefry Samael, who are also members of the Youth Law Center and Rising Scholars’ Statewide Youth Justice Leadership Cohort were also featured on stage. Matt and Yefry shared their experiences leading change with Youth Law Center’s Pathways to Higher Education Project that works to expand access to and success in postsecondary education for young people in the juvenile justice system in California. Both impressive young leaders magnified Youth Law Center’s work to create a world where the odds are stacked for these young people, not against them.

Advocacy, Justice, and Hope 2024 Event — *Honoree Angela Vigil and Student Leadership Cohort member Yefry Samael. Photo credit: Alex Knowbody*

Jennifer also introduced and embarrassed, in the most meaningful way, the event’s special honoree, Angela Vigil, who is a Partner and the Executive Director of the Global Pro Bono Practice at global law firm Baker McKenzie, and a tireless crusader for children’s rights. Under her leadership, Baker McKenzie’s Pro Bono work has been honored by a number of local and national civil rights and advocacy organizations for its commitment, innovation, and impact. Youth Law Center was thrilled to shine the spotlight on Angela for the passion and energy she infuses into her work inspiring her in-house attorneys and corporations “to tackle a social justice challenge – and do our best to solve it.”

Angela’s parents Greg and Cathy Coin flew out from Delaware to attend the event, and before the event, they shared with Jennifer a photo of a cast album cover featuring Angela as Rosie at age 10 in a Broadway production of Really Rosie with music by Carole King. Jennifer remarked that, to her, that photo was an example of how bright Angela’s light has always burned. When she saw the photo, her first thought was that someone with Angela’s talents could have shared her light and talent with the world in any number of ways, but she chose to use them in the most amazing way to change the world to achieve justice for those who most need it. Jennifer, Matt and Yefry presented her with a special commemorative plaque. Angela thanked Jennifer, the Youth Law Center and all the guests profusely, and, in her inimitable way, returned the praise back to the Youth Law Center.

The MC, Liam Mayclem, returned to lead a paddle raise with the goal of raising at least $45,000 for the first 45 years of the Youth Law Center, and the final tally was more than $50,000!

After a brief break the dancing began! Guests rocked out to the music of world famous drummer and percussionist Sheila E. and her band. And did we mention our honoree Angela Vigil was invited onstage where she performed a thunderous rendition of “Mustang Sally” with Sheila’s band? Before she and the band finished their set, Sheila E. surprised the crowd by auctioning two of her drums and two virtual drum lessons with her that pushed the fundraising total even higher!

An incredible time was had by all, and Youth Law Center is grateful for our event sponsors and everyone who made this a night to remember! Special thanks to the youth, families, community members and partners who have inspired the Youth Law Center’s advocacy to build a future of joy and hope for children and youth for the last 45 years.