Our Programs
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We Love
What We Do
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What We Do
Programs
Justice Alternatives
Since 1999, BronxConnect has served 2,000+ youth and young adults in its alternative programs for court-involved high-risk youth. For nearly two decades, it has been the only Bronx-based, faith-based and community-based Alternative-to-Incarceration (ATI) and Alternative-to-Detention (ATD) program serving our community.
In total, BronxConnect provides justice alternatives to over 150 youth and young adults per year.
This program has always served youth whom society has identified as high risk of recidivism. With proper mentorship and wrap-around case management, our youth beat all odds. In 2016, even though 95% of our Supreme Court ATI youth were facing violent felonies, 80% graduated successfully. In 2018, a new study of our ATI felony program was completed, with 97% of graduates going 3 years, from graduation, without a felony-conviction. This is six percent higher than our 2010 study, and a direct result of our renewed focus on employment in 2015.
In 2018, BronxConnect launched a Misdemeanor Program to provide employment-focused alternatives to youth ages 16-24 facing 6 to 12 months at Rikers Island.
BronxConnect has won the respect of the judges of the Bronx Supreme, Family & Criminal Courts, and the Manhattan Supreme & Criminal Courts, as well as the following agencies:
Programs
Justice Alternatives
Since 1999, BronxConnect has served 2,000+ youth and young adults in its alternative programs for court-involved high-risk youth. For nearly two decades, it has been the only Bronx-based, faith-based and community-based Alternative-to-Incarceration (ATI) and Alternative-to-Detention (ATD) program serving our community.
In total, BronxConnect provides justice alternatives to over 150 youth and young adults per year.
This program has always served youth whom society has identified as high risk of recidivism. With proper mentorship and wrap-around case management, our youth beat all odds. In 2016, even though 95% of our Supreme Court ATI youth were facing violent felonies, 80% graduated successfully. In 2018, a new study of our ATI felony program was completed, with 97% of graduates going 3 years, from graduation, without a felony-conviction. This is six percent higher than our 2010 study, and a direct result of our renewed focus on employment in 2015.
In 2018, BronxConnect launched a Misdemeanor Program to provide employment-focused alternatives to youth ages 16-24 facing 6 to 12 months in Rikers Island.
BronxConnect has won the respect of the judges of the Bronx Supreme, Family & Criminal Courts, and the Manhattan Supreme & Criminal Courts, as well as the following agencies:
Programs
Justice Alternatives
Since 1999, BronxConnect has served 2,000+ youth and young adults in its alternative programs for court-involved high-risk youth. For nearly two decades, it has been the only Bronx-based, faith-based and community-based Alternative-to-Incarceration (ATI) and Alternative-to-Detention (ATD) program serving our community.
In total, BronxConnect provides justice alternatives to over 150 youth and young adults per year.
This program has always served youth whom society has identified as high risk of recidivism. With proper mentorship and wrap-around case management, our youth beat all odds. In 2016, even though 95% of our Supreme Court ATI youth were facing violent felonies, 80% graduated successfully. In 2018, a new study of our ATI felony program was completed, with 97% of graduates going 3 years, from graduation, without a felony-conviction. This is six percent higher than our 2010 study, and a direct result of our renewed focus on employment in 2015.
In 2018, BronxConnect launched a Misdemeanor Program to provide employment-focused alternatives to youth ages 16-24 facing 6 to 12 months in Rikers Island.
BronxConnect has won the respect of the judges of the Bronx Supreme, Family & Criminal Courts, and the Manhattan Supreme & Criminal Courts, as well as the following agencies:
Release the Grip – Cure Violence
In the Fall of 2014, BronxConnect launched Release the Grip as part of New York City’s Crisis Management System, in the 44th Precinct (Council Member Gibson, Council District 14.) Our Release the Grip site has built its strength from those in the community who are already working for change. Violence Interrupters are credible messengers (i.e. incarceration survivors) trained to intervene in conflict before gun violence happens. They also create partnerships with “community mayors”, who are key to our success. As a result of our excellent work, the 44th Precinct experienced a 52% drop in shootings from 2015 to 2017, with no homicides in our catchment area. These services help the community mourn those lost to gun violence, and seek healing and support.
Release the Grip – Cure Violence
In the Fall of 2014, BronxConnect launched Release the Grip as part of New York City’s Crisis Management System, in the 44th Precinct (Council Member Gibson, Council District 14.) Our Release the Grip site has built its strength from those in the community who are already working for change. Violence Interrupters are credible messengers (i.e. incarceration survivors) trained to intervene in conflict before gun violence happens. They also create partnerships with “community mayors”, who are key to our success. As a result of our excellent work, the 44th Precinct experienced a 52% drop in shootings from 2015 to 2017, with no homicides in our catchment area. These services help the community mourn those lost to gun violence, and seek healing and support.
Release the Grip – Cure Violence
In the Fall of 2014, BronxConnect launched Release the Grip as part of New York City’s Crisis Management System, in the 44th Precinct (Council Member Gibson, Council District 14.) Our Release the Grip site has built its strength from those in the community who are already working for change. Violence Interrupters are credible messengers (i.e. incarceration survivors) trained to intervene in conflict before gun violence happens. They also create partnerships with “community mayors”, who are key to our success. As a result of our excellent work, the 44th Precinct experienced a 52% drop in shootings from 2015 to 2017, with no homicides in our catchment area. These services help the community mourn those lost to gun violence, and seek healing and support.
Community Therapeutic Service
—
As part of the NYC Crisis Management System, BronxConnect provides Community Therapeutic services to four Bronx Cure Violence sites (Council Members Cabrera, Gibson, King, and Salamanca). These services seek to help the community mourn those lost to gun violence, and seek healing and support. Most importantly we help community members spot serious mental health issues before they escalate.
Employment Readiness
—
As a wraparound service to our Release the Grip Cure Violence site, BronxConnect provides employment readiness as a NYC Department of Probation Justice Plus site. This program offers stipends, resume readiness, community service projects, employment readiness classes, and employment referrals. BronxConnect utilizes this program to hold much needed quarterly community job fairs that have attracted over 1,000 applicants and have helped over 100 community members secure employment. On average, over 50% of the Justice Plus participants are placed in internships or employment.
Leadership Classes
—
BronxConnect provides Gun Violence Prevention Leadership classes to four schools as part of the New York City Crisis Management Systems. These schools are located in the districts of Council Members Ayala, Cabrera, Gibson and Salamanca. We partner with schools to offer light case management, classes and recreational activities to youth in need of extra support. In the last four years, youth have improved family relations and interpersonal skills. Most wonderfully, 98 percent of the 80 youth who have participated in this program have remained arrest-free, with no contact with the juvenile justice system.
Community Therapeutic Service
—
As part of the NYC Crisis Management System, BronxConnect provides Community Therapeutic services to four Bronx Cure Violence sites (Council Members Cabrera, Gibson, King, and Salamanca). These services seek to help the community mourn those lost to gun violence, and seek healing and support. Most importantly we help community members spot serious mental health issues before they escalate.
Employment Readiness
—
As a wraparound service to our Release the Grip Cure Violence site, BronxConnect provides employment readiness as a NYC Department of Probation Justice Plus site. This program offers stipends, resume readiness, community service projects, employment readiness classes, and employment referrals. BronxConnect utilizes this program to hold much needed quarterly community job fairs that have attracted over 1,000 applicants and have helped over 100 community members secure employment. On average, over 50% of the Justice Plus participants are placed in internships or employment.
Leadership Classes
—
BronxConnect provides Gun Violence Prevention Leadership classes to four schools as part of the New York City Crisis Management Systems. These schools are located in the districts of Council Members Ayala, Cabrera, Gibson and Salamanca. We partner with schools to offer light case management, classes and recreational activities to youth in need of extra support. In the last four years, youth have improved family relations and interpersonal skills. Most wonderfully, 98 percent of the 80 youth who have participated in this program have remained arrest-free, with no contact with the juvenile justice system.
Community Therapeutic Service
—
As part of the NYC Crisis Management System, BronxConnect provides Community Therapeutic services to four Bronx Cure Violence sites (Council Members Cabrera, Gibson, King, and Salamanca). These services seek to help the community mourn those lost to gun violence, and seek healing and support. Most importantly we help community members spot serious mental health issues before they escalate.
Employment Readiness
—
As a wraparound service to our Release the Grip Cure Violence site, BronxConnect provides employment readiness as a NYC Department of Probation Justice Plus site. This program offers stipends, resume readiness, community service projects, employment readiness classes, and employment referrals. BronxConnect utilizes this program to hold much needed quarterly community job fairs that have attracted over 1,000 applicants and have helped over 100 community members secure employment. On average, over 50% of the Justice Plus participants are placed in internships or employment.
Leadership Classes
—
BronxConnect provides Gun Violence Prevention Leadership classes to four schools as part of the New York City Crisis Management Systems. These schools are located in the districts of Council Members Ayala, Cabrera, Gibson and Salamanca. We partner with schools to offer light case management, classes and recreational activities to youth in need of extra support. In the last four years, youth have improved family relations and interpersonal skills. Most wonderfully, 98 percent of the 80 youth who have participated in this program have remained arrest-free, with no contact with the juvenile justice system.
Advocacy and Organizing
Our new unit is focused on elevating youth-led campaigns to transform the justice system through community organizing, advocacy, and media. The move completes our theory of change, as we believe grassroots leadership will ensure long-term, sustained justice. We have also formed a coalition of faith leaders to support a pipeline of youth and parents in demanding humane justice alternatives, social services for neighborhoods harmed by incarceration, and increased government accountability. Our organizing agenda builds upon our roots and history. Two decades ago, we reimagined solutions to crime when traditional approaches viewed justice alternatives as too risky to merit attention. Our longstanding commitment to advocacy was also demonstrated by our role as an instrumental partner in the #CLOSErikers Campaign.
Advocacy and Organizing
Our new unit is focused on elevating youth-led campaigns to transform the justice system through community organizing, advocacy, and media. The move completes our theory of change, as we believe grassroots leadership will ensure long-term, sustained justice. We have also formed a coalition of faith leaders to support a pipeline of youth and parents in demanding humane justice alternatives, social services for neighborhoods harmed by incarceration, and increased government accountability. Our organizing agenda builds upon our roots and history. Two decades ago, we reimagined solutions to crime when traditional approaches viewed justice alternatives as too risky to merit attention. Our longstanding commitment to advocacy was also demonstrated by our role as an instrumental partner in the #CLOSErikers Campaign.
Advocacy and Organizing
Our new unit is focused on elevating youth-led campaigns to transform the justice system through community organizing, advocacy, and media. The move completes our theory of change, as we believe grassroots leadership will ensure long-term, sustained justice. We have also formed a coalition of faith leaders to support a pipeline of youth and parents in demanding humane justice alternatives, social services for neighborhoods harmed by incarceration, and increased government accountability. Our organizing agenda builds upon our roots and history. Two decades ago, we reimagined solutions to crime when traditional approaches viewed justice alternatives as too risky to merit attention. Our longstanding commitment to advocacy was also demonstrated by our role as an instrumental partner in the #CLOSErikers Campaign.
Workforce & Reentry
Work affirms humanity and demonstrates to our men and women their inherent ability to provide for their families and contribute to the rebuilding of our community. Employment for court-involved youth and returning citizens is critical to stabilizing people and supporting their desires to become change makers and community leaders. As part of the NYC Department of Corrections SMART network and Mayor’s Jails to Job initiative, BronxConnect provides workforce and reentry case management support to over 200 returning citizens per year.
Workforce & Reentry
Work affirms humanity and demonstrates to our men and women their inherent ability to provide for their families and contribute to the rebuilding of our community. Employment for court-involved youth and returning citizens is critical to stabilizing people and supporting their desires to become change makers and community leaders. As part of the NYC Department of Corrections SMART network and Mayor’s Jails to Job initiative, BronxConnect provides workforce and reentry case management support to over 200 returning citizens per year.
Workforce & Reentry
Work affirms humanity and demonstrates to our men and women their inherent ability to provide for their families and contribute to the rebuilding of our community. Employment for court-involved youth and returning citizens is critical to stabilizing people and supporting their desires to become change makers and community leaders. As part of the NYC Department of Corrections SMART network and Mayor’s Jails to Job initiative, BronxConnect provides workforce and reentry case management support to over 200 returning citizens per year.
Beyond the Box Initiative
We proudly support the Beyond the Box Initiative, which helps formerly incarcerated—current and prospective—college students achieve success during the admissions process and beyond. It also seeks to eliminate structural barriers to higher education, housing, employment and civic participation for people with criminal convictions, by increasing access to higher education. We are incubating Beyond the Box until their non-profit status is complete. For more information, please contact: Leyla Martinez at lm3142@columbia.edu
Beyond the Box Initiative
We proudly support the Beyond the Box Initiative, which helps formerly incarcerated—current and prospective—college students achieve success during the admissions process and beyond. It also seeks to eliminate structural barriers to higher education, housing, employment and civic participation for people with criminal convictions, by increasing access to higher education. We are incubating Beyond the Box until their non-profit status is complete. For more information, please contact: Leyla Martinez at lm3142@columbia.edu
Beyond the Box Initiative
We proudly support the Beyond the Box Initiative, which helps formerly incarcerated—current and prospective—college students achieve success during the admissions process and beyond. It also seeks to eliminate structural barriers to higher education, housing, employment and civic participation for people with criminal convictions, by increasing access to higher education. We are incubating Beyond the Box until their non-profit status is complete. For more information, please contact: Leyla Martinez at lm3142@columbia.edu
ManhattanConnect
BronxConnect has grown naturally over the last two decades. When judges began moving to Manhattan courts, they mandated Bronx youth who are charged in Manhattan to BronxConnect. Word of our dynamic community-based program spread. For over a decade, judges in both the New York Criminal and Supreme Courts have been mandating youth from Harlem and Washington Heights to BronxConnect. In 2017, our ManhattanConnect office was launched on 145th Street.
ManhattanConnect
BronxConnect has grown naturally over the last two decades. When judges began moving to Manhattan courts, they mandated Bronx youth who are charged in Manhattan to BronxConnect. Word of our dynamic community-based program spread. For over a decade, judges in both the New York Criminal and Supreme Courts have been mandating youth from Harlem and Washington Heights to BronxConnect. In 2017, our ManhattanConnect office was launched on 145th Street.
ManhattanConnect
BronxConnect has grown naturally over the last two decades. When judges began moving to Manhattan courts, they mandated Bronx youth who are charged in Manhattan to BronxConnect. Word of our dynamic community-based program spread. For over a decade, judges in both the New York Criminal and Supreme Courts have been mandating youth from Harlem and Washington Heights to BronxConnect. In 2017, our ManhattanConnect office was launched on 145th Street.