Education. Advocacy. Community. These words are at the center of Alliyah’s efforts.
Alliyah began volunteering with Queens Defenders when she was in high school. She participated in Youth Justice Court at both the Queens Library for Teens and her high school, Channel View School for Research. Alliyah has always been a leader among her peers. She recently completed her freshman year at St. John’s University and plans to attend law school upon graduation.
As a Young Adult Leader for Queens Defenders, Alliyah works both in the Outreach Center and the Rockaway Community Justice Center. She serves as a tutor to younger children and her peers, and as an advocate for college readiness. Most recently, Alliyah led a college awareness series that culminated with a virtual panel of college and high school advisors. At this event, Alliyah facilitated discussion amongst the panelists about financial aid, scholarships, and tips for paying for college. This event reached nearly 50 high school students thanks to Alliyah’s hard work.
Alliyah strives to make a difference in Rockaway through community engagement with youth and families. She is committed to helping others and advocating for young people. Alliyah is very involved in the community as a member of the Queens Defenders team, but her work does not stop there. For two years, Alliyah volunteered for the Youth Restorative Justice program through the NYC Department of Education. Through that, she facilitated restorative circles both in school and around New York City. Alliyah is a sociology major at St. John’s University, where she is currently enrolled in the ROTC program. Her goal is to become a lawyer and open her own nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people. The Community Outreach team at Queens Defenders is proud to watch Alliyah grow and excel through her hard work and dedication.
