Center for Justice Innovation

"Reentry to me, is a second chance at life,” said Ramon SEMORILE, who runs the Reentry Anonymous Group at Bronx Community Solutions. ?? Last month, Ramon and his team gathered community partners together at CUNY Hostos Community College in the Bronx to connect people returning from incarceration with resources for housing, health care, employment opportunities, and other crucial needs. After the resource fair, returning citizens, including poet Ian Manuel, Reverend Arthur Rose, and consultant and advocate Selina Fulford, spoke on a panel about how their own lived experiences with incarceration and reentry help them to support others now embarking on the same journey. Watch the highlights below. ??

Despite the devastating impacts of intimate partner violence on communities across the country, traditional responses to it often fall short of what survivors really need. In working with survivors of intimate partner violence in New York City and nationwide, we’ve seen firsthand that community safety begins with safety in the home and in our intimate relationships. That’s why we take a multifaceted approach to intimate partner violence—one that works in both courts and communities, that addresses the underlying causes of violence, and that engages survivors, people who have caused harm, and communities as a whole. ?? Read all about our approaches to ending gender based and intimate partner violence this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: https://lnkd.in/e9BSEb-d

Children and youth involved in the justice system as crime victims or witnesses face many challenges. To support them, the Center for Justice Innovation has worked with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Office for Victims of Crime to create interactive and educational materials that guide and support child victims and witnesses as they navigate the justice system. A series of illustrated booklets and graphic novels have been created for different age groups (ages 2 to 6, 7 to 12, and 13 to 18) in several languages for different environments: child welfare, criminal court, human trafficking cases, and Native communities, which feature illustrations and stories by Native artists and authors. The materials support children and young people who are crime victims or witnesses on: ? How the legal system works ? Their rights ? Roles of practitioners they might meet ? Coping mechanisms for feelings that might come up during the process Organizations can apply for printed materials up to $10,000 worth. The Center has subcontracted with a printing agency to print and ship the materials to selected applicants. Priority will be given to agencies that are either based in rural areas or Tribal lands, or who work directly with child victims and witnesses in rural or Native American communities, and who demonstrate a clear need for this printing opportunity. ?? Access the online application here: https://lnkd.in/eRbEQSAu If you have any questions, email the Center’s Child Witness Materials Project team on [email protected].

Shout out to our incredible teams across the city this week sharing holiday meals and joy with their communities. ??

Congratulations to our wonderful Brownsville Community Justice Center team for being honored last night at New York State Senator Jabari Brisport’s bi-annual State of the District ceremony in Brooklyn. ??

Follow us on Bluesky @https://lnkd.in/ggpYDGJE ?? Join us as we work to build community justice together: https://lnkd.in/gnihHsAH

Investing in strong, healthy communities is crucial to achieving lasting safety. But who’s in charge of making those investments, and how do we make sure community members themselves play a role in decisions that impact them? Our Neighborhood Safety Initiatives program gives public housing residents across New York City a chance to do just that. Read all about the process here: https://lnkd.in/gWsK6M3v

“It’s not just me,” said one man who attended one of our RISE Project's recent barbershop talks, relieved that he wasn’t the only one struggling with complicated feelings and experiences. He touched on a message our RISE team takes with them everywhere they go as they work with survivors, people who have done harm, and communities impacted by violence: You’re not alone—and all of us are stronger together. #MensHealthMonth #MentalHealthMatters https://lnkd.in/gcfDNxmU

Green spaces are in short supply in historically marginalized neighborhoods, but investing in them makes for safer, healthier communities. ?? Learn all about our green space initiatives across New York today: https://lnkd.in/gCvmPHck

At the American Society of Criminology's 2024 annual meeting last week we showcased our latest findings, delved into our programs' successes, and discussed justice innovations across the nation. #ASCSanFran24 #ASCriminology2024