MISSION

Supporting the health, safety, and stability of young people in the Southern United States by advancing their legal rights.

Georgia’s first legal aid organization focused on youth and young adults

We are Georgia’s first legal aid organization focused on youth and young adults aged 12 to 24. Our mission is to support the health, safety, stability, and education of young people in the Southern United States by advancing their legal rights.

VISION

All young people in the South have their legal needs met, enabling them to access secure housing, education, healthcare, and other essential benefits and resources necessary for stability.

Founded in 2023, SLCY provides free civil legal support to young people aged 12 to 24 years old in Georgia, with a special focus on BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ youth and those who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Common legal issues include:

  • landlord/tenant

  • housing conditions

  • eviction prevention

  • vital documents

  • public benefits

  • education/McKinney-Vento Act

  • school discipline

  • record sealing

  • emancipation

  • guardianship

  • legal name changes

Our Legal Programs

Youth Homelessness

Serves young people between 12-24 years old in the metro Atlanta area who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness and experiencing a civil legal issue. We provide free legal support to help resolve issues related to housing insecurity and connect young people with resources for greater stability.

Shelter Rights Project

Serves young people between 16-24 years old who have previously terminated or banned from a publicly-funded shelter or housing program in the Atlanta area without a clear process, or experienced other potential violations of their rights. Through direct legal representation, we help ensure these young people’s rights are respected and proper procedures are followed.

Gender-Affirming Legal Care™

Serves trans and gender-expansive youth ages 18-26 by increasing access to trauma-informed, youth-centered, and gender-affirming legal services for youth and young adults in Georgia through direct representation, clinics, and legal education, which center the identities and experiences of trans and gender expansive young people.

COMMUNITY HEALTH & LEADERSHIP

Southern Kiki Leaders Collective

A grassroots youth leadership pipeline designed to empower Black, LGBTQIA2S+, and gender-expansive youth across the Southern U.S. through culturally relevant sexual health advocacy, legal education, workforce development, and systems navigation. Founded by Princess Jauan Durbin-Louboutin, SKLC centers the kiki ballroom community.

What Clients Are Saying

“One of my good friends she put me on to you guys because she works with you as well and that's how I got your number and I got into contact with you. Since then you were able to help me get out of my lease because they weren't letting me out of my lease at the time.” 

— Former Client

“SLCY was great! They checked in appropriately to see where I was in the name change process and if I needed any help. SLCY made it easy to file the paperwork.”

— Former Client

“It was very relieving to know that I had people who to support me and help me get through what I was going through at the time because I strongly believe that if I didn't have you guys behind me to help me with the situation, it could've ended way differently and I probably would've still been in that situation [couchsurfing] or been miserable in that apartment. But it was very relieving to know that I had people who are willing to help me.”

— Former Client