TAP is an exciting youth program that engages New York City teens as organizers and peer educators on civil rights and civil liberties.

Our History

The NYCLU’s youth program began as the Teen Health Initiative in 1997, founded with the mission of removing barriers that prevent young people from accessing critical health services and information. Today, TAP carries on the mission of the Teen Health Initiative and works on the wide range of NYCLU advocacy issues.

TAP Today

TAP is a group of around 20 New York City high school students who meet weekly to learn about civil liberties and legal issues, reproductive justice, public speaking and activism. We work as peer educators to make sure the youth of New York know their rights, and each year we create a campaign on an additional issue the NYCLU works on. TAP is a great opportunity for young people interested in law, health care, social justice and community organizing.

TAP Coordinator Lauren Frederico is a social worker and community organizer who helps NYCLU staff and TAP members work together on advocacy and reproductive rights issues.

We Work on Advocacy issues, such as:

• Freedom of Speech and Religion
• Racial Justice
• Immigrants’ Rights
• Students’ Rights
• Ending the School-to-Prison Pipeline
• Stopping Aggressive Military Recruitment in School

We Work on Reproductive Rights Issues, such as:

• The Rights of Minors to get Confidential Health Care
• The Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Teens
• The Rights of LGBTQ Youth

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