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December 9, 2025
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SUMMARY:
Each year, hundreds of thousands of teens encounter the juvenile justice system and face fines and fees. When families cannot afford to pay, these penalties may turn into debt or lead to further criminalization, shadowing young people into adulthood. Debt Free Justice works to break this cycle by eliminating financial penalties and advancing restorative alternatives. In this article, we explore their work through a story about their partnership with youth activists in Hawaii.
This story is adapted from Bright Spots, a new mini-series within the Good Things podcast. Produced in partnership with Lemonada Media, the series features bite-sized stories of community impact that leave listeners feeling inspired and hopeful about what is possible. In a moment when so much feels uncertain, each story shines a light on the people who are making a difference in their communities right now, and the solutions that can make a difference in other communities, too.
To explore the mini-series or listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts, check out Good Things.
From a small hearing room in Honolulu, a youth organizer named Zoe spoke bravely to state lawmakers. “Having firsthand relationships with people being incarcerated, we see the impact the justice system has on families. If we can help people while they’re young, we can lower Hawaii’s incarceration rate,” she said.
She stood alongside fellow members of 'Ekolu Mea Nui’s youth council, a group of teenagers committed to reimagining what justice could look like in their home state and to improving outcomes for peers impacted by the juvenile justice system.
Their work begins long before they enter the hearing room. After school and on weekends, these teenagers balance homework and activities with drafting legislation, preparing testimony and planning community programs. Their days are full, and their conviction is steady. With support from our grantee, Debt Free Justice, they drafted House Concurrent Resolution 174 to ensure that peers who are involved in the juvenile justice system receive support—rather than lifelong debt.
Debt Free Justice’s work meets a national challenge. Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of teenagers each year encounter the juvenile justice system. As a result, many face fines—punitive charges meant to deter future behavior—and fees, which include costs for court services, supervision and diversion programs. These financial penalties are imposed regardless of ability to pay. When unpaid, they can turn into debt, shadowing young people into adulthood and compromising their access to education, housing and employment.
Through campaigns led across the country, Debt Free Justice seeks to eliminate or reduce financial penalties on youth and replace them with restorative alternatives. Their Co-Coordinator, Cameron Clark, joined a recent episode of the podcast mini-series, Bright Spots, to explore the true cost of fines and fees with a focus on their recent campaign in Hawaii.
“Many people believe that financial penalties teach minors a lesson, but research shows these penalties can actually increase the likelihood of future offenses,” Cameron explained. When families cannot cover the fines and fees, young people often face even more pressure or make riskier choices to resolve the situation, leading to further criminalization.
Many people believe that financial penalties teach minors a lesson, but research shows these penalties can actually increase the likelihood of future offenses.
Fortunately, Debt Free Justice is clearing another path. In Hawaii, where Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth make up more than half of the juvenile court population, restorative approaches rooted in Hawaiian culture and values have proven to be effective alternatives. Activities such as caring for the land, planting native crops and maintaining community spaces foster accountability and personal growth—while reducing the risk that a single mistake pulls a young person deeper into the justice system.
Still, research alone does not move policy. What does, according to Cameron, is the courage of young people willing to speak out and share their lived experiences. Debt Free Justice partnered with 'Ekolu Mea Nui’s youth council to ensure youth like Zoe had a platform to present House Resolution 174 to lawmakers at the Hawaii State Capitol.
“Using our culture and land-based practices can help Native Hawaiian youth feel more connected, proud of who they are and stronger inside,” Zoe shared. “They're not only putting in the work, but they're also able to see a meaningful outcome that helps benefit their communities.”
Zoe and her peers’ stories resonated, particularly with policymakers who had not fully understood the impact of fines and fees on youth and families—or the restorative alternatives available. The resolution passed unanimously in both chambers, a moment the youth organizers still describe as surreal. “I went home that night feeling proud of what our whole group had put forward,” Manuel, another youth organizer, said. “I hope it means more focus on helping youth heal instead of punishing them.”
I hope it means more focus on helping youth heal instead of punishing them.
Debt Free Justice is building on victories like these to support more communities in local- and state-level advocacy. Their work has already led to sweeping change. In 2015, financial penalties for youth were legal in 49 states. Today, that number has been cut nearly in half, lifting more than $28 million in annual charges from young people and their families. This shift frees teenagers to focus on finishing high school, reconnecting with their communities and rebuilding their lives without the shadow of debt.
Soon, Debt Free Justice will launch a webinar to help community members get involved in efforts to eliminate youth fines and fees, ensuring more young people enter adulthood with stronger accountability and a renewed commitment to their communities.
“This is an opportunity to ensure youth leave this experience much better off than they are when being assessed financial penalties,” Cameron says. “We are excited to work with community partners across the country to move legislative advocacy forward.”
Hear more from Cameron, Zoe and other members of the youth council on the full Bright Spots episode below or by searching for Good Things wherever you get your podcasts. To get involved in your own community, visit debtfreejustice.org.
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies welcomes the expression of personal thoughts and reflections in Toward, our digital magazine. Each post reflects the opinion of its author and does not necessarily represent the views of our organization or our partners.
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