Avenues for justice
Avenues for Justice (AFJ) is a NYC non-profit organization that has continued to provide free-post arrest support to at-risk youths for over 45 years. As one of the first Alternative-to-Incarceration programs for youth in the country, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) has protected NYC’s court-involved and at-risk youth from incarceration, replacing cells with services. AFJ provides free on-going court advocacy along with their HIRE UP online and onsite enrichment programs for workforce training, education, mental health and mentoring to over 600 young people, ages 13-24, each year.
On average, 94% of AFJ’s court-involved Participants avoid reconviction within three years of enrollment into the program, making our alternative to incarceration (ATI) program one of the most successful, cost-effective models in the US.
With a historical 45-year legacy helping to shape NYC’s criminal justice system, Avenues for Justice (AFJ), is honored to share its 2024 legacy documentary, “An Avenue Named Justice: 45 Years of Second Chances.” Executive produced by AFJ’s longtime event partner, Melva LaJoy of LaJoy Plans, and Andre Banks as Director of Photography, the film features AFJ staff, public officials, supporters, and Board members, sharing their journey about criminal justice reform, and how co-founder and President, Angel Rodriguez, helped shape their work and future. Participants in the film include the Honorable (ret.) Judge Michael Corriero; New York Community Trust Program Officer, Roderick Jenkins, and the Robin Hood Foundation’s CEO, Richard (Rich) Buery, among others. The documentary first premiered at AFJ’s annual Second Chance Gala on October 24th at the Altman Building in NYC. The organization’s largest fundraising event of the year, the Gala raised $325,000 towards AFJ’s court advocacy and wraparound services.
