Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children (FFLIC)

Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children (FFLIC) is a statewide grassroots, multi-generational membership-based organization committed to abolishing all forms of state violence against Black youth -- especially youth in New Orleans -- through transformative organizing, holistic leadership development, and advocacy.

Our mission is to create a better life for all of Louisiana's youth, especially those involved in or targeted by the juvenile justice system. As mothers and fathers, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and allies, FFLIC implements a model of organizing that's people- and community-centered, explicitly anti-racist, and reflects the communities we come from. Through empowerment, transformative leadership, restorative programs, and training we strive to keep children from going to prison and support those who have and their families. From the street level to the state level, from our meeting rooms to the state capitol, we are working to build a society based on the principles of racial justice, human rights, and full participation through our tireless fight for justice for youth.

FFLIC was founded on the belief that people are the power and that those most directly impacted are the chosen ones to lead permanent change by disrupting and dismantling broken racist systems. Our goals are to radically transform these systems as well as shift how they treat and value BIPOC families of modest or meager means. Since the landmark closing of Tallulah Youth Correctional Facility, FFLIC has continued to lead the charge to close youth prisons and replace them with community-based supports that allow every child to maximize their future. Additionally, FFLIC's education equity work is focused on dismantling the school to prison pipeline that funnels youth of color into the justice system.

By fighting to win seats on leading decision-making tables in Louisiana, FFLIC ensures that directly impacted people have a meaningful voice in shaping the policies that most affect their lives. In order to do so, families must be whole and have access to the supports necessary to raise thriving children. FFLIC's vision for an equitable future includes creating living wage jobs for those most severely impacted by systemic racism. Without ways for people to build their economic capacity, freedom is tenuous at best. FFLIC's objective is to develop our members' leadership capacity to carry on the fight for equitable, healthy, and functioning systems that provide opportunities for generations to come.

#NoKidsInAngola is part of FFLIC's overarching goal to close prisons and reinvest public dollars into community-based alternatives that support every child in living their best life. FFLIC's work over the past year to keep children out of Angola State Prison continues, with direct actions, letters to the Governor, a petition with nearly 3,000 signatures, and widespread media attention on the horrific trauma and abuse the youth injustice system inflicts on children. Please sign our petition here: https://bit.ly/NoKidsInAngola.

We cannot allow the system to throw kids into solitary confinement, withhold mental health and educational services, and then expect them to develop into healthy adults. The majority of incarcerated children have unaddressed learning disabilities or mental health issue and 65% are arrested for non-violent offenses. Every child deserves the right to their humanity, dignity, education, and the chance to learn from their mistakes... especially when the systemic racism and the school-to-prison pipeline target and channel the most vulnerable youth into the deep end of the justice system. 73% of Louisianans support for a youth justice system focused on prevention and rehabilitation rather than punishment. Please join FFLIC is making public mandate a reality.

PROGRAMS:
Transformative Leadership Development: Youth and adult members move through a series of political education trainings and practicums through FFLIC's transformative leadership development curriculum covering our history, the legislative process, navigating and assessing the education and justice systems, and effective organizing tactics. Our intergenerational membership base offers peer networks and opportunities for youth and elders to learn leadership from each other. Members determine our goals in annual planning meetings. Members have opportunities to actively participate in decision-making tables and public speaking events.

Youth Development and Organizing: FFLIC is continuing to develop our youth leadership model with Black Girls Rising Movement (ages 10-19) who collaborate with national and regional partners to Get Out the Vote, participate in Youth First's national youth-led #NoMorePrisons decarceration movement, and support FFLIC's educational equity and justice reform work...

Testimonials

Antonio Travis, FFLIC New Orleans Chapter Lead and Youth Organizing Manager, "Youth can be prone to making mistakes, and some may make more harmful ...