Youth Spotlight: Andre
Andre is one of our top youth mentors here at Queens Defenders. He is 21 years old and is currently studying business administration at LaGuardia Community College.
Andre first got involved with Queens Defenders through the Youth Justice Court program while he was a student at Frederick Douglass Academy VI High School. He started off as a volunteer 3 years ago, and is now an active youth mentor on the team. Andre decided to be a volunteer at Youth Court and other Queens Defenders programs because he saw it as a great way to stay out of trouble and help the youth of the community. He proclaims, “What inspired me about being a volunteer with Queens Defenders was it kept me out of trouble and helped me learn life-changing things. Volunteering with Queens Defenders helped me change my mindset in life and to stay on the right path and guide others to do the same.” After graduating high school, Andre became an official employee of Queens Defenders, which was still called 'Queens Law Associates' at the time.
“I’ve known Andre since he was in the 5th grade. He’s a good kid and a hard worker. I nicknamed him Benson, after the tv character, because he was always busy doing different tasks and helping people. He never talked back to adults and is a great mentor to youth. He’s all that and a bag of chips.” - Isaac Parsee, Queens Defenders
Andre orchestrated the FDA VI Men's Group, which was a program dedicated to helping young men stay on the right path. He shared his experiences with them hoping they could either relate to or learn from his past mistakes. He assisted in the tutoring program, tutoring kids from 3rd grade and up, as well as building relationships with them. In 2019, he had an active role in the mentoring program, mentoring kids from 9th grade in Far Rockaway High School, making sure they keep their grades up while building a close connection with them. From 2019-2020, Andre took part in some major events such as hosting the Far Rockaway Awards Day with Hector, an event that gave recognition to Community Partners that have a positive influence on the community. He also represents Queens Defenders at Community Board 14 Meetings, as well as several other community events.
The part of Andre’s job that he is most proud of is how well the team comes together to help others, as well as each other. He enjoys giving back to the community and helping kids stay on the right path. His goals for the future are to take care of his family, be successful in life, and make a change in his community. We believe Andre is well on his way to accomplishing these goals!
To support Andre and other youth like him, visit here.
Queens Defenders Awarded Grant from Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz Announces Grants Awarded to 28 Recipients for the Queens Community Youth Development and Crime Prevention Program
November 17, 2021
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced grant funding to 28 community-based organizations for the implementation of her Office’s Community Youth Development and Crime Prevention Project (CYDCPP). The District Attorney’s initiative aims to provide youth activities and wrap around services to help prevent crime and keep young people out of the criminal justice system.
District Attorney Katz said, “Providing meaningful opportunities for our youth is a keen investment in public safety and the future of Queens County. We have to do all we can to make sure that our kids are equipped to make good choices and empowered to steer clear of gangs, guns and crime. My Office is committed to working with the community to develop mentorship, recreational, academic and career development activities in our Borough. The Queens Community Youth Development and Crime Prevention Program will help empower our youth while increasing public safety.”
The request for proposals (RFP) was announced by DA Katz in June 2021. The goals of the Program are to facilitate a collaborative and community-driven approach that will foster positive relationships between the community and law enforcement, reduce youth crime, improve self-confidence among young people, increase exposure to positive adult role models, as well as improve academic performance and school attendance.
The recipients selected for the Program have already established proven strategies with youth development program models and will utilize the funding to develop effective services for Queens-based youth and their families.
The 28 recipients who will receive funding are:
- Queens Public Library
- Service area: Far Rockaway
- Queens Community House
- Service area: Pomonok Houses
- The Child Center of New York
- Service areas: Elmhurst and South Ozone Park
- Variety Boys and Girls Club
- Service area: Astoria
- Queens Defenders
- Service area: Far Rockaway
- Jamaica Y- YMCA of Greater NY
- Service area: Jamaica
- Greater Ridgewood Youth Council
- Service area: 104th Precinct
- Sunnyside Community Services
- Service area: Woodside
- Queens Center for Court Innovation- Queens Community Justice Center
- Service areas: Jamaica, Cambria Heights, Rosedale, Hollis, Springfield Gardens, Ozone Park
- Catholic Charities
- Service area: 101st Precinct
- Community Mediation Services
- Service areas: Jamaica and Far Rockaway
- Queens Center for Court Innovation- The Rockaways
- Service areas: 100th and 101st Precincts
- Martin de Porres Youth & Family Services
- Service areas: 103rd, 105th & 113th Precincts
- Garden of Hope
- Service area: Flushing
- Korean American Family Service Center
- Service area: Flushing
- The Fresh Air Fund
- Service areas: Jackson Heights and Corona
- SAYA
- Service area: South Ozone Park
- Rosedale Jets Football Association
- Service areas: Rosedale, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, Cambria Heights, Jamaica
- 4Ward Inclusion Consulting
- Service areas: 103rd, 105th & 113th Precincts
- Rabenstein Learning Center
- Service area: Far Rockaway
- Global Kids
- Service area: 106th Precinct
- Urban Upbound
- Service areas: Queensbridge, Astoria, Ravenswood and Woodside Houses
- Share 4 Life
- Service areas: Astoria and Ravenswood Houses
- Greater Springfield Community Church
- Service area: 11433 Zip Code
- Rochdale Village Social Services
- Service area: Rochdale
- Community Center of the Rockaway Peninsula
- Service area: Far Rockaway
The Project will operate under the general guidance of the Youth Empowerment Unit within the Community Partnerships Division at the Queens District Attorney’s Office. The total funding for the Program is anticipated to total $2,750,000 over two years.
The money awarded to Queens Defenders will go towards our Rockaway Community Justice Center. To learn more about the RCJC, click here.
Justice 456 Initiative Continues Impact on Community
Mani Tafari, Staff Attorney, and Nick Hillary, Education Specialist, are the proud co-founders of the Queens Defenders Justice 456 Initiative. Since their last outreach event in June 2021, they have been busy keeping the wheel of pro-justice turning.
In July 2021, Justice 456 was featured on the television program, Brooklyn45, to promote the Initiative’s mission. The mission is to inform the community of their rights, in particular, the rights provided under the 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments of the US Constitution. During this television appearance, Nick shared a summary of his story about his encounter with law enforcement, and the five-year battle between him and the Justice System. It was this five-year battle that led to the creation of Justice 456. Mani shared his legal knowledge regarding the importance of knowing the rights afforded us by the 4th, 5th and 6th amendments.
In September 2021, Justice 456 held a virtual Constitutional Day event in the form of a panel discussion. The Constitutional Day event was the Initiative’s first interactive public event where the people of Queens and other communities had the opportunity to ask questions of the panel and provide their feedback in real time on the information shared during the session. This event will be an annual event for Justice 456, as it continues to achieve its mission:
- Call awareness to the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution, with simplification of the 4th, 5th and 6th amendments for a the average person
- Educate community members about their rights afforded to them by the U.S. Constitution, and
- Empower our community via their rights under the constitution
It is truly Nick’s simplified knowledge of the 4th, 5th and 6th amendments of the U.S. Constitution that gave him the confidence he needed, even under distress, to make difficult life changing decisions during his fight for freedom.
The Justice 456 Jingle:
I will not consent to a search today,
I have nothing to say,
my lawyer is on the way!
Learn more about the Justice 456 Initiative here.
Youth Spotlight: Jaden
In the Summer of 2020, Jaden joined the Queens Defenders team as a member of the Summer Youth Employment Program. From the very beginning, Queens Defenders staff recognized something special in Jaden. At the end of the summer, Jaden was offered a position at Queens Defenders’ Rockaway Outreach Center as a Homework Helper. Since then, Jaden’s growth has been tremendous.
Throughout his time at Queens Defenders, Jaden has been inspired by the versatility of the organization. He is fascinated at the many different ways that Queens Defenders assists the community, and this made him want to devote his time to Queens Defenders. Jaden is passionate about helping the community, and is excited at the future of opportunities. He is a proud member of Queens Defenders’ BLANK Project, and loves any chance to fight for social justice.
Outside of his time spent working at Queens Defenders, Jaden has worked diligently to complete his Eagle Project. In August 2021, Jaden completed his project in which he built a beautiful community green space in Edgemere Park. This project involved raising money for supplies, and working tirelessly to complete the space. In recognition of his hard work, Jaden was awarded with two citations: one from NYS Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson, and the other from NYC Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers.
Jaden dreams big when it comes to both present and future. He is 16 years old and attends Channel View School for Research at the Beach Channel High School campus. He plans to attend an ivy league college where he will study law and eventually become a politician.
Jaden’s ambition and positive mindset are an asset to Queens Defenders, and we are proud to watch Jaden grow and achieve his goals. Jaden’s impact on the community is just beginning.
Queens Defenders Food Pantry Continues to Serve Rockaway and Jamaica Communities
The Queens Defenders Food Justice Program remains committed to serving the borough of Queens. With the generous support of 9 Million Reasons, The Campaign Against Hunger, Food Bank for NYC, and Fresco, our team has distributed over 7,000 food packages since June of 2021.
On a weekly basis, we have been able to distribute nonperishable foods such as rice, beans, pasta, quinoa, and various canned goods. We've also given away fresh foods such as potatoes, onions, cabbage, celery, lettuce, apples, pineapples, kale, pears, and cucumbers. On an average week, 400 families receive packages of food from on food pantry.
Do you or someone you know need food support? Come to one of our weekly food distributions.
Jamaica Justice Center: Every Wednesday at 2:00 PM
148-02 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica
Rockaway Community Justice Center: Every Wednesday and Friday at 2:00 PM
1922 Mott Avenue, Far Rockaway
Rockaway Community Justice Center Provides Variety of Services to People of Queens
Since its opening in April 2020, the Rockaway Community Justice Center has served many purposes for supporting the people of Queens. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of extreme financial hardship faced by Rockaway residents, staff at the RCJC developed a variety of services for community members, including food support, housing services, tax support, immigration advocacy, and more. The primary purpose, however, has always been to provide Rockaway residents a restorative alternative to involvement in criminal court.
Most recently, four clients referred by the Queens County District Attorney have successfully completed the restorative process, and are actively engaged in Queens Defenders' supportive services. Two of these clients have completed OSHA trainings to obtain their OSHA-30 Certificate. All four clients were provided with consultations to identify additional needs. Each client received support for housing, career readiness, community services opportunities, and counseling. All four clients are connected to Queens Defenders, and will continue to receive services for as long as needed.
In addition to the clients referred to the community court, over 20 clients have completed mandated community service hours at the RCJC within the last three months. These activities include helping with food distributions, engaging in job training services and resume writing, and participating in other online trainings relevant to their needs. When clients come through the RCJC, Queens Defenders staff ensures they are connected with additional services to improve their lives.
Queens Defenders continues to work closely with the Queens District Attorney’s office to obtain referrals and prevent further court involvement for young people in the justice system.
BLANK Project Walks on a Journey to Awareness
The Queens Defenders BLANK Project was created to build leaders and activists in a new culture. Members of the BLANK Project learn about law, organize rallies, marches, and fight for social justice.
Since its inception in November 2020, the BLANK Project has come a long way. In the first half of 2021, The BLANK Project has held various community engagement events and virtual town halls. Thus far, the group has had community discussions about Foster Care Awareness, Police Reform, LGBTQIA+ Rights, Stop AAPI Hate, Black Lives Matter, and more.
To commemorate all of these events, the BLANK Project organized a 50-block walk called ‘Journey to Awareness,’ starting from Beach 67th Street and ending on Beach 17th Street. The event took place on July 27th, and had many youth participants join the walk.
At every 10-block interval, stations were set up in which participants engaged in different activities to honor different topics:
- Beach 57th Street celebrated Black Lives Matter. At this station, each person to shout a protest chant.
- Beach 47th Street celebrated LGBTQIA+ Awareness. At this station, each person finger painted a rainbow and left their handprint on the poster.
- Beach 37th Street celebrated Stopping AAPI Hate. At this station, participants took pictures with the Stop Asian Hate posters that were made at a previous rally.
- Beach 27th Street celebrated Awareness of New Policing. At this station, each person received a pamphlet on what to do in a police encounter. Also, there was a discussion about different things police officers can do to become involved in the community.
- Beach 17th Street celebrated Foster Care Awareness. At this station, participants wrote messages on the boardwalk using chalk to spread awareness and love for foster youth.
Throughout the walk, participants engaged in conversations about current events and the importance of the events put on by the BLANK Project. Keep an eye out for future BLANK Project events acknowledging various social justice issues.
To join the BLANK Project, reach out to Alexandra Brathwaite at abrathwaite@queensdefenders.org.
Queens Defenders Commends Manhattan DA's No Cash Bail Decision, Strongly Encourages Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz to Follow
September 29, 2021
Queens Defenders – a Queens-based public defender organization – commends Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance for his decision yesterday to not ask for cash bail for many nonviolent offenses.
Considering the ongoing revelations of the deplorable, inhumane, and intolerable conditions at Rikers Island, Queens Defenders strongly encourages the Office of Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz to immediately follow suit and stop seeking cash bail.
Queens Defenders attorneys are committed to working with the Queens District Attorney’s Office and the Courts to find alternative solutions for individuals accused of crimes that can include unsecured, partially secured, and supervised release, released on their own recognizance, mental health, and substance abuse treatment, electronic monitoring for more serious crimes, and other options.
Such options will ensure our fellow New York City residents are not needlessly incarcerated at Rikers Island solely because they and their families cannot afford cash bail. Additionally, those with substance use challenges, mental health issues, and other disabilities can receive the treatment they need in their communities rather than jail.
Over the last year, the unacceptable conditions at Rikers Island have been brought into public view. Our city’s public defenders have long been aware of Rikers’ reputation and the devastating and often life-threatening impact it has had on the individuals we serve. In the last several weeks, we have seen increased coverage of and strong public response to the needless injury and death of our clients – 12 so far this year. We have been beyond the point of needing action for a long time and are encouraged by decisions like those from DA Vance and Governor Hochul’s disaster emergency declaration for Rikers Island.
We must do more.
Now is the time to do something. Now is the time to act in the best interest of all New Yorkers, especially our low-income neighbors who have fewer options to pay cash bail and are disproportionally – and unnecessarily – held at Rikers Island. This injustice is particularly harmful to our clients who have pled not guilty and are awaiting their day in court from a prison cell.
The Queens District Attorney’s office can take a leadership role and stand for ensuring the health and safety of our city’s residents by ending cash bail for non-violent felonies and seeking release with conditions for more serious offenses.
Youth Spotlight: Alliyah
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.
Mentees Celebrate End of Year Success
On Tuesday, July 13, the Queens Defenders Jamaica Youth Program held a closing ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of the youth participants this past year. This group of young people have shown their commitment to bettering themselves through our mentoring program. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the young people continued to show up ready and willing to engage in programming every week. This past year showed that they can overcome many challenges through the support of their peers, mentors, family members, and Queens Defenders staff.
At the ceremony, the three high school graduates were honored with an engraved crystal to applaud their hard work and determination in achieving such an incredible milestone amid a pandemic and personal trials. Two students were awarded their GED after passing the TASC exam, and one student graduated from high school. All ten program participants received certificates and a small token of appreciation in recognition of their consistency and dedication to the youth program.
Queens Defenders staff shared encouraging words with the youth and reminisced about the many good times they shared together. The youth, who were accustomed to coming into the office for weekly workshops, graciously made the transition to a virtual platform. This summer, the youth will go on several outings together to celebrate their accomplishments in person.
The team at Queens Defenders is incredibly proud of these young people and all they have accomplished. We look forward to seeing what their futures hold!
To learn more about our Jamaica Youth Program, visit here.
