January 12, 2009
NEW YORK BAR FOUNDATION RE-NAMES ‘YOUTH COURT
FUND’ IN HONOR OF RETIRED CHIEF JUDGE JUDITH S. KAYE
Fund provides financial support through grant
awards to New York State’s Youth Courts
In tribute to her commitment to the youth of New York State, the
Board of Directors of The New York Bar Foundation has renamed its Youth
Court Fund in honor of retired Chief Judge of the New York Court of
Appeals, Judith S. Kaye. The Judith S. Kaye Youth Court Fund will
provide financial support through grant awards for activities of Youth
Courts throughout the state.
In a joint resolution from the New York State Bar Association and The
New York Bar Foundation, Judge Kaye was recently recognized as an
innovative problem-solver during her 25 years of service on the
state’s highest court, the New York Court of Appeals. The
resolution also lauded her 15-year leadership as Chief Judge, where she
spearheaded programs that significantly improved the administration of
justice for New York’s children and families.
“We are pleased and proud to name The Foundation’s Youth
Court Fund in honor of the distinguished Judith S. Kaye,” said
John R. Horan, Foundation president. “Judge Kaye’s
outstanding and visionary leadership, along with her extraordinary
commitment to and affection for children, has played a significant role
in helping to improve the lives of countless New York
families.”
There are more than 100 Youth Courts in cities, towns and villages in
New York that deliver justice to youths between the ages of seven and
15. The courts seek to improve juvenile justice outcomes through
an alternative to the criminal justice system for community youth.
Youth Courts have been emerging as the fastest growing juvenile
intervention programs in the country. In the past, Foundation
grant awards have helped support Youth Court education programs and
other initiatives.
Youth Courts are specifically designed to help those who have
committed offenses no more serious than a misdemeanor through early
intervention and education. While Youth Courts hold offenders
accountable for negative behavior, at the same time, they teach youthful
offenders to respect themselves along with individuals, families and
property in their own communities. Youth Courts are collaborations
of local criminal justice agencies, schools and the community and are
operated by high school-age youth.
In addition to her many accomplishments including having served the
longest of any Chief Judge in state history, Judge Kaye served as Chair
of the Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children for more
than 17 years. In that capacity, she led the initiative, Babies
Can’t Wait, which recognizes that infants in foster care require
early medical attention and provides training to court and child welfare
staff on infant health and development. In 2008, Judge Kaye served as
editor of a special issue of the State Bar Journal, “Our Children,
Our Future,” which elaborated on issues relating to justice for
children. Additionally, in January 2008, she served as moderator
of the New York State Bar Association’s Presidential Summit panel
entitled, Breaking the Cycle for Youth at Risk.
New York State Bar Association President Bernice K. Leber added,
“Judge Kaye truly understood that our children are our
future. Her commitment to justice for young people will leave a
lasting imprint on the next generation of New Yorkers. As members
of the Bar, we are proud to rename this Fund as a tribute to this
legacy.”
The New York Foundation is undertaking a fundraising drive to
increase the financial support that it will make available through grant
awards for New York’s Youth Court activities. To help
accomplish this initiative, please make a contribution to The Foundation
for The Judith S. Kaye Youth Court Fund. To make an online
contribution to this restricted fund, go to www.tnybf.org or mail your check, made
payable to The New York Bar Foundation. Please mail your check to The
New York Bar Foundation, One Elk Street, Albany, NY, 12207. Donations to
The New York Bar Foundation are tax-deductible as a charitable
contribution as permitted by law.
Established in 1950, The New York Bar Foundation is
dedicated to aiding charitable and educational projects to meet the
law-related needs of the public and the legal profession. For more
information, contact Rosanne Van Heertum, director of development, at
518/487-5650 or go to www.tnybf.org
to make an online donation.
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