NYC Justice Corps

Harlem Site Launch!

admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:24:09 +0000

The NYC Justice Corps is pleased to announce the opening of the NYC Justice Corps’ Harlem satellite program site! The site will be managed by the community-based nonprofit organization Phipps Community Development Corporation which also manages the NYC Justice Corps Bronx site.The newest addition to the Corps is located at The Oberia D. Dempsey Multi-Service Center, a “one stop”, social, health, educational, recreational and neighborhood service center whose purpose is to bring the local services and activities close to those in need. On August 3, the site opened its doors to 15 new Corps members and expects to provide program services to 60 young adults from the surrounding community this program year.

Corps Hosts Singapore Delegation

admin — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 20:54:10 +0000

From Left: Koh Shixin, Senior Executive Officer of the Central Youth Guidance Office; Adrian Ng, Assistant Manager of the Vocational and Reintegration Support Unit; and Audrie Siew, Senior Assistant Director of the Vocational and Reintegration Support Unit.

On April 14, the NYC Justice Corps hosted its first international site visit with representatives from Singapore’s Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCDYS). Previously known as the Ministry of Community Development and Sports, MCDYS’mission is to build a cohesive and resilient nation through programmatic and policy innovations. Adrian Ng and Audrie Siew of the Vocational and Reintegration Support Unit, and Koh Shixin of the Central Youth Guidance Office traveled to the States to visit programs in action that provide workforce development services to young adults involved in the criminal justice system. During their trip, the representatives visited Corps member as they completed service on community projects hosted by East Side House Settlement where Corps member refurbished two classroom spaces, and Morrissania Baptist Church where they repaired a main conference area. Visiting the Corps has inspired MCDYS to consider opportunities to incorporate the NYC Justice Corps’ emphasis on engaging young adults in meaningful service and leveraging community partnerships toward successfully reentering Singapore’s youth.

Brooklyn Site Wrap-up Announcement

admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:26:07 +0000

Over the past three years, John Jay College of Criminal Justice has worked closely with the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (“Restoration”) to manage and operate the NYC Justice Corps Brooklyn site that has left a visible positive impact on the surrounding community in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. To date, Restoration has provided services to 280 Justice Corps participants who have completed 30 community benefit service projects ranging from completing murals throughout Bedford-Stuyvesant, increasing registration for the 2010 Census, renovating local churches and other public spaces and weatherizing homes throughout the community. Additionally, Restoration continues to work with a diverse range of stakeholders including local elected officials, business owners, other non-profit organizations and educational service providers to leverage its wealth of deep community ties to enhance the experience of program participants transitioning through the NYC Justice Corps. As a result of these community ties, 161 were placed on internships with local businesses and community-based organizations, 53 were placed in permanent employment, and 12 were enrolled in to college and/or obtained their GED. The current cohort of participants is the final cohort held at the Restoration site and will graduate in April 2011.

Following the decision from its leadership, Restoration will end operating the NYC Justice Corps to refocus its service-delivery efforts on a broader range of community members. The NYC Justice Corps will continue to be operated through Phipps Community Development Corporation in the South Bronx.

The NYC Justice Corps partners wish Restoration continued success in all the work that they do in serving the Central Brooklyn Community.

Brooklyn Site Graduation

admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:27:46 +0000

Iris Blackman, Case Manager, and Shani Williams, NYC Justice Corps graduate at the Brooklyn site graduation ceremony.

On February 28, the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation’s Skylight Gallery was host to the Brooklyn Justice Corps’ graduation ceremony marking the completion of its second program year. In Program Year 2, the Brooklyn site graduated 55 Corps members who left their mark throughout Bedford-Stuyvesant while working with local elected officials to increase registration for the U.S. 2010 Census, renovating local churches and non-profit organization spaces, and “taking back the pavement” by expanding tree beds throughout the community. The ceremony featured a book signing and reception with author and NY1 Newscaster, Cheryl Wills.

Corpsmember of the Year Awarded in DC

admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:31:05 +0000

Corps member of Year, Andrew McKee poses with Dorick Scarpelli, Director, NYC Justice Corps Bronx site; Iris Gonzalez, Career Counselor; Amelia Thompson, Operations Manager; and Julia Lopez, Alumni Coordinator.

NYC Justice Corps Bronx site graduate Andrew McKee received the Corps member of the Year Award on February 16. Awarded by The Corps Network (TCN), the voice of the nation’s 148 Service and Conservation Corps, Andrew was one of six young adults among the more than 3,000 member Corps around the country to receive this prestigious award during a ceremony held on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Andrew along with five other young adults were honored for their achievements, character, growth and contributions to their communities. The award is a testament to the quality service-delivery Andrew received while a member of the NYC Justice Corps Bronx site. In his speech, Andrew expressed his gratitude toward NYC Justice Corps staff including his career counselor Iris Gonzalez and alumni coordinator Julia Lopez of the Phipps Community Development Corporation who were in attendance at the ceremony.

Building on Success in Year 3!

admin — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 14:53:49 +0000

With Program Year 3 underway and 65 new Corps member enrolled, program sites look forward to replicating success expressed by graduates of the program. Andrew McKee, current National Corps member of the Year nominee, interned at the Office of the Commissioner for the NYC Department of Probation while in the Justice Corps and commented, “I attended meetings with the Commissioner and helped shape policies that affect young people on probation…without the NYC Justice Corps I wouldn’t have made it this far, and I’m grateful to the Justice Corps for the second chance and guidance.” Andrew is currently a field supervisor for the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and has also been nominated for the 2010 Opportunity Awards. With close to 150 new Corps members expected this program year, sites expect countless more stories of success.

250 Corps members Served in Second Program Year!

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:55:29 +0000

In its second program year, the NYC Justice Corps has exceeded its goal of providing services to 250 Corps members! This program year has featured the largest graduating class to date from the Bronx site which graduated 26 Corps members in June. See the Bronx’s latest newsletter here to read more about this graduating class which featured Corps members who interned at the NYC Department of Probation. To read about the accomplishments Brooklyn Corps members have achieved including post-Corps placements at the College of New Rochelle, see their first newsletter here and watch the video here developed by Brooklyn Corps member about their experience completing community service projects and transitioning into internships. Corps members from both sites continue to successfully transition to work and educational opportunities throughout the City.

National and Citywide Spotlight

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:21:24 +0000

The NYC Justice Corps was recently featured in two workforce development conferences. The program model was featured at the New York City Employment and Training Coalition Workforce Development Summit & Expo by the New York City Center for Economic Opportunities (CEO), the Justice Corps’ funder and partner in strategic planning and on-going development. Carson Hicks, CEO’s Deputy Director of Evaluation moderated a panel on disconnected youth programs that included Dorick Scarpelli, Program Director, NYC Justice Corps Bronx site. Secondly, at the Grassroots & Groundwork conference held in Portland Oregon alongside David Berman, CEO’s Senior Advisor who provided an overview of CEO’s workforce development initiatives, Ali Knight, Director, NYC Justice Corps presented on the Justice Corps. Their presentations were part of the Innovations in Job Training and Workforce Development Break-out Session of the conference which convened over 400 participants from around the country to explore creative approaches to poverty reduction. Access the Break-out Session webinar from the conference here.

Politically Active Brooklyn Justice Corps Members

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:46:24 +0000

The Brooklyn Justice Corps continues to encourage political awareness and activism among Corps members. In April, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (BSRC) hosted an event in honor of Shirley Chisholm, the nation’s first African American Congresswoman. The event was attended by Congressman Edolphus Towns and PBS documentary filmmaker Shola Lynch, among others. Brooklyn Corps members volunteered at the event, and Corps member Brian Meyers introduced Na’eem Douglas, the event’s emcee from News 12 Brooklyn. Photographs from the event can be found here. Additionally, toward completing service on community benefit service projects, Brooklyn Corps members were featured in a YouTube video in which they highlighted the importance of filling out the Census in order to secure funding for their community. Watch the video clip.

Justice Corps in the Tremont Tribune

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:58:34 +0000

NYC Justice Corps members discuss their efforts to successfully transition to the world of work in the Tremont Tribune article, “Local Program Gives Troubled Youth a Second Chance,” (April 2010). Click here to read the article.