2025 in review
Turning Up the Volume on Children’s Rights
In 2025, The Children’s Law Center remained steadfast in its mission to advocate for the well-being of children and youth navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
In courtrooms across New York City, we met young people at points of profound uncertainty, offering not only legal advocacy but stability, compassion, and trust. Every case we handle represents far more than a legal proceeding. It reflects a child’s fears, hopes, and need for safety.
In 2025, like no other year, we shared our mission with New York. We gathered with our staff and supporters at our first-ever fundraising Gala; we redesigned our website; we received funding for critical projects; and more.
We are profoundly grateful to our staff, partners, and supporters who believe, as we do, that justice begins at home.
Our impact in 2025
- 8,385 children and youth empowered
- 1,000 copies of informational materials distributed through the Children’s Voice Project
- 6,189 cases handled in Family Court and the IDV Parts of Supreme Court
- 35 appellate briefs filed
- 4 Boroughs served: Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island
- Published reports and op-eds; submitted testimony; advocated for legislation
Driving Systemic Change
Appellate Advocacy
CLC’s Writing & Appeals Team filed 35 appellate briefs in 2025, shaping case law and defending children’s safety and voice in court. Key victories included Watson v. Miller, which affirmed the client-directed AFC model, and Nathaniel v. Mauvais, where the court restricted parental access based on emotional harm. A Court of Appeals decision also overturned a termination of parental rights case, providing important statewide guidance.
Shaping Policy
Further, we partnered with legislators, advocates and community stakeholders to reform policies and practices:
- We published a landmark report identifying gaps in therapeutic and rehabilitative services for children exposed to domestic violence
- In order to reduce the unnecessary supervision of children, we supported the Anti-Harassment in Reporting Bill (S550A), which Governor Hochul signed into law in December.
- We submitted joint AFC testimony requesting a 10% increase in funding and contributed to revisions to Kyra’s Law (A6194).
- We advocated for expanded Supervised Visitation programs across NYS. The Safe and Structured Parenting Time Bill (A65A) passed the New York State Assembly and advanced to the Senate. CLC ED Liberty Aldrich and NYS Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi co-authored an op-ed calling for a $20 Million investment in SV programs.
- We received federal funding from the State Justice Institute to convene a national conference on August 11, 2026, to address children’s participation in Family Court proceedings.
As we look ahead to 2026, we remain committed to strengthening access to justice, amplifying youth voices, and advancing systems that better protect and honor the needs of children.
The Children’s Voice Project
Launched in 2024 by a former CLC client, the Children’s Voice Project is our trailblazing community engagement program. The Project enlists former CLC clients to empower young people currently navigating the court system while spreading awareness about Family Court to the broader community.
To empower clients in 2025, the CVP:
- Created the Court Smart video series to explain Family Court-specific terminology
- Produced an educational worksheet for clients about In Camera interviews (private interviews with a judge)
To engage the community in 2025, the CVP:
- Co-hosted a national webinar with the National Association of Counsel for Children
- Presented at the 88th Annual Conference of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court judges with a presentation titled, “Making the Case for Client-Directed Child Representation in Family Court.”
- Partnered with the education nonprofit Global Kids to conduct a Know Your Rights in Family Court workshop with high schoolers in The Bronx
Amplifying children’s voices in court doesn’t only mean providing them with legal representation–it means spreading awareness about Family Court and children’s rights to clients, nonprofits, community members, and others.
Our Hopes for 2026
As we reflect on 2026, we are excited, hopeful, and ever committed to our mission of championing the voices of NYC youth.
Learn more about our priorities and support our mission today.
