Eligibility: Young adults ages 18-24 who live in the target communities and have a history of involvement in the criminal justice system are eligible for the NYC Justice Corps. Corps members may be on parole or probation, have been released from jail or prison or were arrested in the last year, or have been referred to the program by an ATI program or specialized court.
Program Activities: NYC Justice Corps offers a supportive, transitional environment focused on building skills and promoting the behavioral changes that will keep Corps members out of the justice system. Our goal is to prepare Corps members for placement in education, training, and work opportunities. The program includes cognitive behavioral interventions, case management, work readiness training, and a Community Benefit Project (CBP). The CBPs are service projects, designed and carried out by the Corps members, with a dual purpose: helping our participants practice job readiness skills as they give back to their communities, while also preparing these communities to support justice-involved young people by changing community perspectives about the young people. Working as a team, our young adults build a positive peer network and have the satisfaction of giving back to their communities. The Justice Corps connects participants who do not have a high school diploma with education services. For those who seek post-secondary education, we provide college tours, assistance with applications and financial aid, and links to college mentors.