Red Hook Justice - Your Community. Your Court.

Last week the Office of Youth and Community Programs at the Justice Center celebrated our 1 year anniversary in our Bridging the Gap Series: Youth, Community and Police! Youth, community members, officers, guests and parents all joined together at Brooklyn Borough Hall to reflect on the work we have been able to do within the last year. For a few years now, this was just an idea that we were finally able to bring to fruition with the help of PSA1s then Neighborhood Coordination Officer (NCO), Edgard Centeno last July. The objective of our series is to educate our youth and community members on how to build and improve relationships with police, and allow them a safe space to interact. Incidents over the years have caused broken seams between police officers and the communities they serve. Thus, we wanted to create events where all parties could be heard and bridge that gap. A few keynote speakers included Deputy Borough President Diana Reyna, Assistant Chief Rodney Harri...

The Red Hook Community Resilience Corps hosted their 2 nd annual “Earth Day Event” last month in April. Over 70 children from the Red Hook Community joined the celebration.  The afternoon consisted of arts and crafts activities, face painting pot décor and flower planting.  The Americorps members were joined by staff of GrowNYC, who  have been working closely with GrowNYC, developing ways of bringing awareness to the community on Recycling.  In addition, to the fun activities children had the opportunity along with their parents to receive information and literature on tips for recycling in their homes. They participated in a fun and interactive recycling game that tested their current knowledge on recycling. Families left the event thinking about recycling and their responsibility to care for earth, especially children who carried their pots home in hopes that their seeds would bloom into flowers with their care.   ...

This week, Red Hook CARES threw its first ever community event in celebration of Women’s History Month!  The theme Mind, Body and Soul helped remind the strong, talented, hardworking and beautiful women in this building and in our community to appreciate one another and take some time out of their day to take care of their health, wellness, and spirit. A delicious spread of dishes and desserts contributed by staff were recipes “inspired by women who inspired them.” Khadijah James from Joseph Addabo Health Center provided free blood pressure and health screens. Professional make-up artist Louis Cruz did extravagant full makeovers. Our own Marissa Williams did hair styling, Deanna Cherry from Red Hook Initiative led relaxation activities and spa activities. Arts and craft stations allowed people to decorate “dream boxes” for themselves or a special woman in their life with inspirational messages. Samora Coles provided information about her services for young mother...

Earlier this month AmeriCorps, Peacemaking, Youth Programs and Women in Touch joined together to Celebrate Black History Month ! We held a fundraiser auctioning off photography from past JustArts: Photography classes and special art pieces created by AmeriCorps members, Peacemaking participants and Alice Tapia. We also had a dance performance from two of our very own Youth Court members. Special thank you to everyone who made food and art donations. Lastly, thank you Sequoia from our AmeriCorps program for leading the charge and all of the AmeriCorps members and staff who stood late to clean up! #GOREDHOOK

This week the Youth and Community Programs department here at the Red Hook Community Justice Center were fortunate enough to put together and host their 3rd installment in their Bridging the Gap Series: Youth, Community and Police titled  GAME NIGHT ! We had over 100 participants in attendance in just two hours, including more than 25 officers present from various local precincts (PSA 1, 76 th , 72 nd and PSA 9). With crowd favorite games such as a Birthday Line Up, Family Feud and Pictionary games just to name a few and ending the night with a “Juju on that Beat” dance off we were able to host a successful and fun-filled event! We understand that teambuilding is crucial in strengthening relationships, and our main goal is to also allow local youth and community members to partner up with officers. Many of our young people have expressed wanting to connect with officers but just did not know where to start.  The purpose of our series is...

The month of January has been very busy for the Justice Center!  We recently inducted and swore-in thirteen new AmeriCorps members for the Red Hook Community Resilience Corps program. Honorable Judge Calabrese spoke a few words and welcomed the new cohort to the Justice Center. They will be working within the various departments in the building and also assisting in creating community events. Stay tuned to see their work throughout the year!  Also, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. AmeriCorps members, youth court members, Good Shepherds Services, staff from the JC, youth and members of the community all joined together for a day of service. The day consisted of a screening of "My Friend Martin" which is a short film about Martin Luther King, his legacy and overall mission during the civil rights movement.  Followed by the screening, Leslie (AmeriCorps Program Coordinator) and members led a discussion of what the kids learned ...

This week the office of Youth and Community Programs held their Fall   Graduation and Induction Ceremony . The current cohort of Red Hook Youth Court members were recognized for all of their work within this past year. While a few of them will continue serving on the court, others will be moving onto other programs and begin preparing for college. Twelve brand new trainees were officially inducted after successfully completing training for the past eight weeks.   There was a full house, with Justice Center staff, family members, friends and officers from the 72 nd , 76 th and PSA1 precinct who came out to show some support. Selena Rodriguez, a Youth Court alumni also came to speak to everyone about her experience as a member and offer advice to the new trainees. Special guest included Judge Calabrese and  Karen Broughton from Assemblyman Felix w. Ortiz Office. Congratulations to our members, we are looking forward to the New Year! #GOREDHOOK  Ju...