Overview Cameo House Community Options for Youth (COY) Detention Diversion Advocacy Program (DDAP) Expert Witness, Court Navigation, & Sentencing Mitigation Services Juvenile Collaborative Reentry Unit (JCRU) No Violence Alliance (NoVA) Overview Technical Assistance California Sentencing Institute Next Generation Fellowship Legislation Transparency & Accountability

Accompanying a parent to the courtroom can be a traumatizing experience for children. That’s why CJCJ’s Children’s Waiting Rooms provide a safe and fun environment for children to play and learn while their parents tend to court business.

Playing trains at one of CJCJ’s Children’s Waiting Rooms

The waiting rooms provide appropriate, unlicensed childcare services in a positive experience for children, while reducing early exposure to the justice system. They also allow youth to visit regularly with their incarcerated fathers in a child-friendly location. CJCJ’s three waiting rooms serve approximately 3,000 children per year.

This holiday season, give the gift of fun and games to children from low and middle income families who spend hours in San Francisco courts waiting for or visiting their parents. The waiting rooms are in need of stimulating board games, art supplies, and interactive toys. Visit the Children’s Waiting Rooms’ Amazon wish list for specific items to purchase and send directly to the waiting rooms. 

Waiting Room staff member with children receiving donated Christmas presents

All donations are tax deductible. If you make a donation, please send your invoice or a summary of your donation to cjcjmedia@​cjcj.​org so we may thank you personally. 

Donate items from the Children’s Waiting Rooms’ Amazon wish list »

Donate to other CJCJ services »

To donate items via regular mail, send to:

Center on Juvenile and Criminal JusticeAttn: CWR Donations40 Boardman Place San Francisco, CA 94103