NY State Senator Velmanette Montgomery visits the Justice Center

The Red Hook Community Justice Center welcomed a very exciting visitor today, New York State Senator Velmanette Montgomery.

Senator Montgomery commended the Justice Center on its new mural and met with young people who are participating in Red Hook’s summer internship program. The internship program trains high school students and places them in internships throughout South Brooklyn. Senator Montgomery described the center as being “a special place,” and an example of a unique type of court system that she is working to replicate throughout New York State. She admired the mural and remarked on the fact that it tells a story, thus giving a voice to the young people who created it.

Judge Alex Calabrese thanked the senator for her support and spoke about how the mural is a permanent reminder of Red Hook’s mission. The word, transform, appears front and center in the mural, while also playing a key role in the justice system. Judge Calabrese remarked that transformation is a critical step for getting back on track after involvement with the court. The Justice Center recognizes people’s ability to transform by connecting them to the resources and tools they need to do so.

We are thrilled to be able to share our new mural with Senator Montgomery and we thank her for taking the time to come see the work we do here in Red Hook!

Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, Judge Alex Calabrese, and Red Hook High School Summer Interns

Comments

Supporting the Staten Island Youth Justice Center at "Inside/Outside Legislative Theatre" Performance

On June 4th, a group of the Red Hook Youth Court members and staff went to see the "Theater of the Oppressed NYC" performance at the New School. Before attending this event, the youth court members had no idea that anything like this went on! While there, we learned that 12 different legislative laws were changed through something called "Legislative Theatre." The audience members get to be "spect-actors," which is great because the actual audience members got to participate in the play themselves and share their ideas. The performances last night were put on by members of the Staten Island Youth Justice Center (part of the Center for Court Innovation Family). These two plays dealt with real life issues such as getting stopped for not paying your bus fare, arriving late to school and getting sent to the principal's office because of the "zero tolerance policy," getting into fights at school, not knowing one's rights, and being raciall...

Rent, Repairs, and Rights: A Guide to Housing Court for NYCHA Tenants

Lillian Marshall, Tenant Association President of Red Hook West (left) and Naureen Rashid, Director of Court Operations Dorothy Shields, Tenant Association President of Red Hook East (Left) and Naureen Rashid, Director of Court Operations Hon. Alex Calabrese, Presiding Judge of the Red Hook Community Justice Center Graphic Designer Jenny Kutnow Clara Amenyo from the Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP)

April Highlights

It has been a busy month for the Red Hook Community Justice Center! The department of Youth & Community programs hosted our 9th Annual Young Adult Internship and Opportunity Fair in partnership with Good Shepherd Services on 4/17. Young people between the ages of 14-24 throughout Brooklyn, and other parts of NYC had to the chance to apply for paid and unpaid summer programming opportunities at the Justice Center, other local businesses and community based organizations. Some organizations who tabled at the event included Exalt, Red Hook Initiative and Green City Force. On Friday April 20, The Neighborhood Restitution Crew partnered with Red Hook Community Justice Center staff, MAP(Mayor’s Action Plan) , MOCJ (Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice), 76 th Precinct Neighborhood Coordination Officers, PSA1 officers and TASC Students, for an Earth day project. We painted over a graffiti covered fence. It was a d...

Red Hook Justice - Your Community. Your Court.

Search This Blog