NYC Defenders’ Statement on the Death of Malcolm Boatwright in DOC Custody
December 10th, 2021
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
NYC Defenders’ Statement on the Death of Malcolm Boatwright in DOC Custody
NEW YORK, NY – Brooklyn Defender Services, The Bronx Defenders, The Legal Aid Society, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, New York County Defender Services, and Queens Defenders released the following statement following the death of Malcolm Boatwright in DOC custody. Mr. Boatwright was the 15th incarcerated person to die in New York City in the last year:
“The tragedy of Malcolm Boatwright’s death today during his incarceration on Rikers Island is the latest horrifying consequence of the city and state’s failure to address the abysmal conditions that have now claimed the lives of 15 people this year. How many people must die for things to change? In the past year, people suffering in NYC jails have pleaded with the media to share their stories, demanded that policymakers take action, and implored judges to stop setting bail. And yet, people continue to die in NYC custody at a rate of more than one a month, and thousands experience daily suffering and dangerous conditions. Just one week ago, a court found that the Department of Correction had failed in its duty to provide people in city jails access to necessary medical care, and yet today we are mourning Mr. Boatwright’s death from ‘a medical issue.’
New York City failed Malcolm Boatwright. The problems began long before he arrived on Rikers Island and are endemic to the City’s failure to provide the basic human services that people need. Rather than providing Malcolm access to critical resources so he could thrive, he was locked away in a decrepit jail that ultimately caused his death at age 28.
Elected officials and law enforcement leadership use fear-mongering and lies about bail reform, pre-trial detention, and conditions of confinement while District Attorneys and judges continue to increase the number of people subjected to the utterly horrific conditions that are causing indescribable harm and death.
We call on every person with power over New York City’s jails – at the City, State and Federal level – to stem the flow of people from our communities into putrid, unsafe cages. We are asking Mayor-elect Eric Adams to immediately take action to remedy the over-use of pre-trial detention and improve conditions for people in the NYC jails. This must be the first priority immediately upon taking office. Certainly those currently in a position to make changes have utterly failed; they have Malcolm Boatwright’s and 14 others’ blood on their hands.”
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Contact:
Chi Nguyen, The Bronx Defenders (cnguyen@bronxdefenders.org)
Redmond Haskins, The Legal Aid Society (rhaskins@legal-aid.org)
Sam McCann, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (SMccann@ndsny.org)
Daniel Ball, Brooklyn Defender Services (DBall@bds.org)
Lupe Todd-Medina, New York County Defender Services (LToddmedina@nycds.org)
Hettie Powell, Queens Defenders (hpowell@queensdefenders.org)
NYC Defenders Decry Commencement of Transfers of Women and Transgender People on Rikers Island to Upstate Prisons
October 21st, 2021
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
NYC Defenders Decry Commencement of Transfers of Women and Transgender People on Rikers Island to Upstate Prisons
Initial Transfers of People from the Rose M. Singer Center in NYC to the Bedford Hills and Taconic Correctional Facilities Begin Today
(NEW YORK, NY) – The Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, The Bronx Defenders, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, and Queens Defenders decried the commencement of Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to transfer nearly all of the women and transgender people currently in detention on Rikers Island to two upstate prisons operated by the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).
The NYC Defenders stated: “This morning, the first group of people have been transferred from the Rose M. Singer Center to upstate prisons, away from their families, friends, attorneys, social workers, and support networks. This ill-conceived plan was developed without the input of the women and transgender people – those directly impacted by the move – nor their advocates.
This decision was a false choice, and Governor Hochul and Mayor de Blasio could have urged that people be released to programs to keep them in New York City close to loved ones and services. Both offices ignored this obvious and humane approach but instead opted for a political stunt.
These New Yorkers signed a petition, and begged Albany and City Hall not to force them away from their family and community, which inflicts life-altering pain and trauma. This decision infringes on incarcerated people’s rights. We stand in solidarity with the people incarcerated at Rose M. Singer, and will continue to fight these transfers and stand ready to file litigation if necessary.”
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Contact:
Redmond Haskins, The Legal Aid Society (rhaskins@legal-aid.org)
Sam McCann, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (SMccann@ndsny.org)
Daniel Ball, Brooklyn Defender Services (DBall@bds.org)
Emily Whitfield, The Bronx Defenders (Ewhitfield@bronxdefenders.org)
Hettie Powell, Queens Defenders (hpowell@queensdefenders.org)
More than 70 Incarcerated Women and Transgender New Yorkers at Rikers Island Release Petition Protesting Transfers to Upstate Prisons
October 18th, 2021
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
More than 70 Incarcerated Women and Transgender New Yorkers at Rikers Island Release Petition Protesting Transfers to Upstate Prisons
(NEW YORK, NY) – More than 70 incarcerated women and transgender New Yorkers at Rikers Island released a petition condemning a plan brokered by Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio forcing them to transfer from New York City jails to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility or Taconic Correctional Facility, which are run by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS).
These New Yorkers write, “How does making female detainees more isolated and less able to meet with counsel, court advocates, and visitors address the emergency?”
The petition further states that “this [plan] is simply a political maneuver designed to accomplish the closing of Rikers in name only. In reality, inhabitants at Rikers are being further violated once again starting with the women. How dare the governor sacrifice women for a photo op/headline?”
“This false ‘state of emergency’ in no way justifies creating obstacles to justice for detained women. We are unequivocally opposed to this edict and we will not be silent,” the petition continues.
“If you’re going to declare an emergency, we insist that the gov’t shoulder the burden, not the women who are already subjected to lengthy detention,” the petition concludes.
New York City’s public defender organizations, The Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, The Bronx Defenders, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, New York County Defender Services, and Queens Defenders, who collectively represent over 80% of the impacted incarcerated people, also decried the plan. In addition to creating difficulties for family and loved ones to visit the incarcerated person, the move will impact their access to counsel and ability to prepare their case. Unlike other residents of the state-run facilities who have already completed their cases and are sentenced, the people scheduled to be transferred all have pending cases, where they need to confer with counsel on a regular basis.
The NYC Defenders stated: “The people scheduled for transfer cannot afford the price of their freedom. They have not been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent. The answer to the crisis at Rikers is not to transfer women and transgender people against their will away from their programs, service providers, attorneys, social workers and investigators who are working with them on their cases, or their families and friends who care about and support them. Instead, the answer is to come up with creative ways to safely release them and ensure their return to court. No person who is being held pre-trial should be transferred without their consent.
As is stated best by those who signed the petition, they did not cause the problems, but they are being made to bear the burden of this ill-conceived plan.
We urge the Mayor and Governor to read and acknowledge the words of the impacted people as stated in the petition and reconsider this plan.”
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Contact:
Redmond Haskins, The Legal Aid Society (rhaskins@legal-aid.org)
Sam McCann, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (SMccann@ndsny.org)
Sarah Duggan, Brooklyn Defender Services (SDuggan@bds.org)
Emily Whitfield, The Bronx Defenders (Ewhitfield@bronxdefenders.org)
Lupe Todd-Medina, New York County Defender Services (LToddmedina@nycds.org)
Hettie Powell, Queens Defenders (hpowell@queensdefenders.org)
NYC Defenders Statement on Death of Segundo Guallpa at Rikers Island
August 30, 2021
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
NYC Defenders Statement on Death of Segundo Guallpa at Rikers Island
(NEW YORK, NY) – Gothamist reports that 58-year-old Segundo Guallpa passed away on Monday, August 30th of an apparent suicide in Department of Correction (DOC) custody. A healthcare worker on Rikers Island told Gothamist that: “People are sicker, they’re not able to get healthcare that they need, and that includes mental health care. The fact there have been so many people who have harmed themselves recently is of great concern.” Only 20 days have elapsed since the last reported death by suicide in the city jails.
Brooklyn Defender Services, The Bronx Defenders, The Legal Aid Society, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, New York County Defender Services, and Queens Defenders issued the following statement regarding Mr. Guallpa’s death:
“Mr. Guallpa’s death in DOC custody is a tragedy, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of his life. Mr. Guallpa was at least the ninth person to pass away at Rikers Island this year, as the jail population grows to levels not seen since before the pandemic and jail conditions create an unconscionable humanitarian crisis. To protect the health, safety, and lives of those incarcerated in city jails, we urge our elected officials, judges, and prosecutors to take swift action to remove people from this life-threatening environment.
The escalating spread of COVID-19 in the jails, a mass wave of staff absenteeism, persistent mismanagement, and a toxic staff culture have created an extremely dangerous situation in which incarcerated people do not have basic levels of healthcare, safety and security. We demand that our elected leaders address this crisis; ask prosecutors and judges to use their discretion to reduce the number of people sent to jail and release people currently held in the city jails; and urge the DOC to use its power to release people currently held in city jails and to treat those who remain in custody with basic human dignity.
New York City must take decisive action to reduce the jail population and prevent further suffering, before yet another life is lost.”
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Contact:
Press Office, The Legal Aid Society (press@legal-aid.org)
Jared Chausow, Brooklyn Defender Services (JChausow@bds.org)
Ryan Karerat, The Bronx Defenders (RKarerat@bronxdefenders.org)
Lupe Todd-Medina, New York County Defender Services (LToddmedina@nycds.org)
Sam McCann, The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (SMccann@ndsny.org)
Hettie Powell, Queens Defenders (hpowell@queensdefenders.org)
NYC Defenders Urge Mayor, Governor, and DOCCS Commissioner to Immediately Address the Humanitarian Crisis in New York City's Jails
August 26, 2021
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
NYC Defenders Urge Mayor, Governor, and DOCCS Commissioner to Immediately Address the Humanitarian Crisis in New York City’s Jails
(NEW YORK, NY) – The Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, The Bronx Defenders, New York County Defender Services, Queens Defenders and Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, in a recently issued letter, called on Mayor Bill de Blasio, Governor Kathy Hochul, DOCCS Commissioner Anthony Annucci, and DOC Commissioner Vincent Schiraldi to immediately address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the New York City jails.
The letter states:
The jails simply cannot house people safely. In addition to the increasing spread of COVID-19, a mass wave of staff absenteeism has created an extraordinarily dangerous disruption to both security and basic services for people in custody. For this reason among many other complex factors, the New York City Department of Correction (“DOC”) cannot presently maintain basic levels of health, safety and security in the jails. Incarcerated people are locked in housing areas for days with no food, showers, access to lawyers or medical visits. They are not being protected from violence.
With this in mind, we urge you to take the following steps without delay:
- First, we ask you to work with us to urge prosecutors and judges to use their discretion to both reduce the number of people sent to jail and release people currently held in the city jails. Prosecutors and judges’ willingness to decarcerate saved lives at the height of the pandemic and a similar will is necessary in the present extraordinary circumstances. We also urge Commissioner Schiraldi to brief the chief administrative judges and five New York City District Attorneys as to the horrific conditions in city jails and urge increased scrutiny around bail requests/bail setting and any other prosecutorial/judicial action that increases the current DOC population.
- Second, as the Mayor did during the first wave of the pandemic, he should exercise the power conferred by Correction Law Article 6-A to grant work release to people serving sentences in city jails. The Mayor’s prior intervention resulted in a meaningful reduction in the jail population, removing people from congregate settings as infections spiked.
- Third, the Mayor must take all available measures to address the staff absenteeism and end all triple and quadruple shifts by correction officers.
- Fourth, the Governor should immediately sign the “Less Is More Act” (S1144 Benjamin /A5576 Forrest), a bill that would overhaul New York’s punitive parole revocation system. Of immediate relevance, Less Is More would eliminate mandatory detention in cases where people were charged with violating their parole and dramatically limit incarceration as a sanction for any technical violation of parole. To ensure these tools are immediately applied to this crisis situation, Acting Commissioner Annucci should exercise his discretion to operationalize Less Is More immediately and lift the parole violation warrants for those people currently in city custody. As of August 25, there were 269 people in city jails who were only charged with technical violations of parole and were not charged with any new crime. The passage of Less is More by the New York State legislature was vindication of the principle that the over-incarceration of people on parole was bad public policy; to continue to house people who would be released under that bill in the current unsafe environment is beyond unjustifiable.
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Contact:
Press Office, The Legal Aid Society (press@legal-aid.org)
Jared Chausow, Brooklyn Defender Services (JChausow@bds.org)
Ryan Karerat, The Bronx Defenders (RKarerat@bronxdefenders.org)
Lupe Todd-Medina, New York County Defender Services (LToddmedina@nycds.org)
Sam McCann, The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (SMccann@ndsny.org)
Hettie Powell, Queens Defenders (hpowell@queensdefenders.org)
QUEENS DEFENDERS PROMOTES LISA SALTZMAN TO DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
FOREST HILLS, March 30, 2022 — Queens Defenders is pleased to announce the promotion of Lisa Saltzman, Esq. to the role of Director of Training. Ms. Saltzman’s leadership in this role will ensure the organization offers an attorney training program that represents the gold standard among public defender organizations in New York City and across the country.
As Director of Training, Ms. Saltzman brings over 25 years of criminal defense experience at Queen Defenders and a passion for developing staff attorneys. A frequent lecturer at various Bar Associations, Ms. Saltzman will be delivering an expansive curriculum for both newly admitted and senior attorneys that will cover all aspects of indigent criminal defense practice – from courtroom proceedings to new laws and regulations.
“Throughout her time at Queens Defenders, Ms. Saltzman has been instrumental in the advancement of our staff and organization,” stated Executive Director Lori Zeno and Managing Director Hettie Powell, “With her dedication to the legal profession, her colleagues, and the clients we serve, we couldn’t imagine a more qualified and committed leader to usher Queens Defenders into a new era of excellence.”
Lisa Saltzman: Ms. Saltzman has worked for Queens Defenders for 24 years and is a lecturer on various criminal law topics at the Queens County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the New York State Defender Association. Ms. Saltzman is also an adjunct professor at Seton Hall Law School and Cardozo Law School teaching trial skills in their Intensive Trial Advocacy Program. In 2019, she received the NCDD National Public Defender of the Year Award for her dedication and work in the field of DWI defense.
PRESS CONTACTS : For supporting materials, more information, or to request an interview please reach out to:
Alora Sherbert
Manager of Development & Communications
press@queensdefenders.org
About Queens Defenders: Queens Defenders provides free, high-quality legal representation to individuals living in Queens County. Since 1996, Queens Defenders’ highly skilled attorneys have represented over 450,000 Queens residents and handle major trials and homicides, work with clients involved in Queens treatment courts, and represent cases involving domestic violence, youth charged with felonies, and immigrants facing criminal charges.
In 2013 the organization launched youth diversion programs to help young people develop critical life skills, improve emotional and physical health, and enhance educational and professional opportunities to build successful lives.
Learn more at queensdefenders.org
Executive Director Lori Zeno Gives Testimony at the Queens Borough Budget Hearing Advocating for Year-Round Youth Programs and Less Policing in the Borough
On Tuesday March 7th, 2022 Queens Defenders Executive Director Lori Zeno joined the Queens Borough Board Budget Hearing to comment on the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2023 Preliminary Expense and Capital Budget. Specifically, Ms. Zeno is pushing back on the mayor’s proposal that sets systems in place to increase the policing of young people without adding support for year-round programming to provide safe spaces off the streets.
Ms. Zeno’s full testimony can be read below:
“Good morning. My name is Lori Zeno, Executive Director of Queens Defenders. We are a legal services organization representing over 20,000 Queens residents annually in Queens Criminal Court. We also operate youth programs in Far Rockaway and Jamaica that reach over 200 young people each year through mentoring and youth development programs, our Youth Justice Court, the Rockaway Community Justice Center, and other initiatives.
Mayor Adams’ Fiscal Year 2023 Preliminary Budget presents a mixed bag of welcome initiatives and serious concerns for our borough’s communities, and our youth in particular. The addition of increased Summer Youth Employment slots will be a boon to youth across the City this summer, but the mayor’s renewed focus on strategies that will lead to over policing have the potential to increase obstacles for youth residing in Black and Brown communities that have been disproportionately impacted by policies rooted in systemic racism. I implore the mayor to instead focus on strategies that can uplift our city’s youth from a strengths-based perspective and provide options they can access year-round.
Summer Youth employment is a crucial program that helps youth gain valuable work experience, make connections, and earn some money when they are not in school. I would like to see additional investment in our youth outside of this impactful, but time-limited program.
Young people need safe spaces to go afterschool. They need engaging programs that give them new perspectives and help them envision a successful future. They need to learn about possible career pathways, how to set goals, and how to achieve them. They need to socialize, experience the benefits of a relationship with a caring adult mentor, and learn how to navigate life’s challenges under the guidance of a robust support network. They need to feel connected to a community. There are many community-based organizations that do exactly this, but access to high-quality services and options for youth is not equal across the city, or across the borough.
Take Far Rockaway for example. Far Rockaway is a vibrant community filled with dynamic and aspirational youth. And the peninsula can feel cut-off from the rest of the city and youth lack many after school recreational opportunities. They do not have the same opportunities as their more affluent peers for after-school and weekend employment, skill-building, and mentorship. Their schools maintain some of the lowest graduation rates across the city. And this is one of Mayor Adams’ identified high-crime neighborhoods that will be targeted with extra policing.
What kind of improvements would we see if we targeted communities such as Far Rockaway with wholistic investment in the youth who reside there?
At Queens Defenders, we like to say that we are in the business of transforming lives. Our Youth programs offer year-round paid internships where young people gain valuable work experience, learn a community-service mindset, and think about their dream careers and how they might pursue them. Our programs have been wildly successful since their establishment in 2013 – their founding made possible with the support of then Councilmember, and now Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. We have helped court-involved youth set new pathways for their lives and avoid further contact with the justice system. We have enabled youth with aspirations for legal careers learn about the law, court proceedings, and the roles of defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges and other court-roles while simultaneously offering a restorative-justice based solution to issues in their schools and communities through our Youth Justice Court program.
Our young people have become well known in the communities in which they work not for a reputation as a troublemaker or due to frequent interaction with the police, but because they are a trusted resource for their peers and even adults looking for help with legal, immigration, housing, or other issues. Our youth have fostered strong relationships with local police and worked with them to create community events that promote healthy relationships, knowing your rights, and how to interact with police should you be stopped or questioned. They assist in our Food Pantry and design special events around the holidays for local families and families impacted by domestic violence. They do this year-round, and this investment in youth has contributed greatly to their success and development.
Mayor’s Adams’ proposed solution of additional policing of communities and young people skips over a crucial step that can make a transformative difference in the lives of youth – particularly those residing in under-resourced communities such as Far Rockaway, Jamaica, and others. We need to make a year-round investment in them. We need to believe in their success. These special police units are not the answer. They will look for crime and to make arrests. They are not focused on local youths’ successful transition to adulthood. We as a city can and must do better.”
Client Testimonial: Ms. Spencer Reflects on Queens Defenders' Impact
Ms. Spencer is a 33-year-old budding professional and mother to a two-year-old boy. She has a passion for visual art, music, real estate, health, and wellness. As a hardworking single mother, she has managed to transcend home instability and secure a stable apartment for herself and her child. Queens Defenders met Ms. Spencer in 2019; she came into the Far Rockaway Outreach Center at the time looking for help with housing. The QD Housing Team helped Ms. Spencer navigate the use of her housing voucher and obtain a furniture allowance once an apartment was found and secured.
Ms. Spencer recently reconnected with her estranged mother who was homeless for the last 25 years. Her mother lives with mental health challenges and now lives with Ms. Spencer and her son. Ms. Spencer reports that this experience has helped her conquer her own battle with depression and anxiety; she is now serving as an advocate for mental health awareness.
Most recently, Ms. Spencer passed the NYS Real Estate Licensing Exam, and she manages her own Online Health & Wellness Brand. She decided to reach out to Queens Defenders for moral support, as well as legal and financial advice. Ms. Spencer was eager to step into a new career as a real estate agent, but had certain reservations and barriers she needed to overcome. The QD Outreach Team provided the encouragement and support Ms. Spencer needed to step into her power, and into a brighter future for herself, her son, and her mother.
In preparation for starting her new job with a real estate agency, Queens Defenders donated one week's worth of brand new professional clothing to Ms. Spencer. According to Ms. Spencer, "More important than the clothing itself, Queens Defenders gave me the confidence I needed to shine. Queens Defenders has been very helpful in my recent journey. I think Queens Defenders is a strong asset to the community and I would strongly recommend this organization."
Ms. Spencer has been attending work training and is so excited for her future. She plans to advocate and educate the disenfranchised and lower income communities on financial literacy in order to help others traverse and defeat the obstacles she herself has faced.
Queens Defenders Awarded New Contract with NYC Housing Preservation & Development
Queens Defenders is pleased to announce a new partnership with New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD). Under this new grant award, Queens Defenders will provide Housing Navigator Services out of the Rockaway Community Justice Center and Jamaica Justice Center. This new 10-person team has already begun working with Queens residents with Emergency Housing Vouchers to secure permanent, stable housing.
Stan Khaldarov, Housing Navigator Supervisor & Director of Food Justice states, "Our Housing Navigator Program marks a new chapter in the growth of the Housing Initiatives at Queens Defenders. In addition to our existing housing services, our team of Housing Navigators is now assisting Emergency Housing Voucher ("EHV") recipients with their housing search, apartment viewings, and lease up process."
Housing Navigators will be working one-on-one with clients, helping them to identify their housing needs, connect with realtors and landlords, and ultimately find, apply, and secure stable and affordable housing. “Within the housing paradigm, finding and securing an apartment is often the most difficult factor. Our team is proud to assist our clients with taking this challenging step towards safe and stable housing,” Khaldarov added.
Queens Defenders is also pleased to announce that two current Young Adult Leaders, Andre Hussey and Hector Rodriguez, have been hired to the Housing Navigator team. “I am proud of our Young Adult Leaders Andre and Hector who rose to the challenge and were promoted to be a part of this team,” Khaldarov said. The Young Adult Leader Program supports Far Rockaway Youth with part-time employment paired with youth development and college and career readiness activities. Our Young Adult Leaders are a crucial part of our community-based Outreach Programs and are often the first to step in and help individuals in need of assistance or coordinate community education events on topics including healthy relationships, college readiness information, and Know Your Rights workshops.
The Housing Navigator program builds upon Queens Defenders’ already existing housing advocacy services that provide assistance with affordable housing lottery applications, information and advocacy related to Housing Court, and Know Your Rights workshops for tenants.
Brandon Jeffries, Director of Youth Services at Queens Defenders stated, “The opportunity to enhance Queens Defenders resources is a dream turned reality. Knowing that we can support residents with finding an apartment is an honor that we take great pride in as we transition those in need from a shelter to a new home. In a time where resources and services are changing, Queens Defenders remains determined to be at the forefront for the good of the community.”
Queens Defenders Visits Village Academy in Far Rockaway to Expand Youth Services
On February 17th, 2022, Queens Defenders’ Outreach Team visited Village Academy to give an uplifting presentation to students, as well as inform them about our services.
The Outreach Team consisted of Queens Defenders’ Director of Youth Programs, Brandon Jeffries and Youth Program Assistant, Theodore Robinson, as well as Young Adult Leaders, Andre Hussey, Hector Rodriguez, Amari Leitzsey, and Michael Osemwengie. There were over 100 students present to hear from the Queens Defender Team.
Andre, Amari, and Hector each spoke about the different services that Queens Defenders can provide for the youth. Andre informed them of QD’s Tutoring Services, Youth Justice Court, and Safe Space – a program located on Central Avenue in Far Rockaway.
Amari gave information on the Sports for Family Health (SFH) project that is going to be implemented by the New York City Department of Health and Hygiene and community-based organizations starting on March 1st. The SFH project is going to be an approach to turn sports environments into venues for promoting health to the youth and their families.
Hector gave an uplifting speech about staying on the right path. He used his past negative experiences to encourage the students to make good decisions and let them know to “stay off the streets because it only brings trouble.” He explained the three outcomes of being on the streets: deceased, incarcerated, or living a life with no positive direction.
Brandon gave uplifting speeches as well, telling the students how they can be anything they want to be in life as long as they put in time and effort towards their goals.
At the end of the presentation, four students came on stage to show off their best dance moves. The students had a lot of fun, especially when one of the faculty members got on stage and danced as well. Queens Defenders is thankful for the chance to leave a positive and inspirational impact on the students of Village Academy, and we look forward to many students joining QD Programming across the community.