Red Hook Justice - Your Community. Your Court.

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...

The CARES team is excited to announce that we are recruiting for two upcoming support groups: one on the topic of emotional wellness and one for people who’ve experienced intimate partner violence. Take a look at the details included below and if you know of anyone who might be interested in either group, please encourage them to contact Tyshiamba at 347-404-9017 or email RHCintern1@nycourts.gov for more information. For both groups, dinner and MetroCards will be provided.   EMOTIONAL WELLNESS Who: Anyone over 18 is welcome! What: 6-week healing and supportive wellness group for those dealing with stress and interested in exploring new ways to cope and find balance in their daily lives When: Tuesdays 5-7pm starting March 20 th Where: Red Hook Community Justice Center - 88 Visitation Place, Brooklyn, NY 11231 HEALING FROM VIOLENCE Who: Any woman who has ever felt unsafe in an intimate relationship What: 6-week confidential group for individuals interested ...

Peacemaking held a fundraiser last week at Rocky Sullivan's to support out yearly trip to the African American Museum located in Washington, DC. This trip provides an opportunity for former peacemaking participants, students, peacemakers, police officers etc., to learn about the African American culture, history and traditions through interactive exhibitions.    We had wonderful entertainment and food, it was a great success! We raised over $1,000! Thank you to all that came out and supported us. We Still need your help! We are only a third of the way to our goal of $3,200. If you would like to make a donation stop by the Peacemaking Department located on the lower level of the Red Hook Community Justice Center.    

The holiday season has been a busy one for the department of Youth & Community Programs! Recently, a few patrol officers and the Neighborhood Coordination Officers of PSA1 took our Youth Court members on a day trip to the Police Academy located in College Point, Queens. They received a tour of the facilitates, which included classrooms, a gymnasium, a court-room, model precinct and a subway car platform. In the words of one of our members “it was nice to see what police officers have to go through to become a part of the department, I didn’t realize how challenging the training can be.” We concluded the trip with lunch and a karaoke car ride home! The officers came up with the idea of the trip as a form of neighborhood policing, but also to allow the youth to learn about the process of becoming a police officer. We are planning on visiting in the New Year with our new cohort of Youth Court members. In addition, an officer from the PSA1 kindly donated a b...

Check out this article! Reflections from Monash University law school graduate, Alix Friedman, after her time interning at the Red Hook. Use the following link:  http://jewishwomenofwords.com.au/alternative-justice /

Last week has been a busy one for the Office of Youth and Community programs! Pumpkin Painting Party – 10/24 A few officers from our local precinct, PSA 1 originally came to us with a list of ideas for events centered on neighborhood policing. The first event we were able to collaborate for was the Pumpkin Painting Party on Tuesday. Our Mural room was decorated with Halloween décor and different activity stations that included, face painting, pumpkin painting and a games like pin the tail on the cat. Every child was able to leave with a pumpkin, candy bag, coloring book and bookmark. In addition our Mock Court room was transformed in to a spooky CarnEVIL themed room where we scared the mess out of kids, teens and our bravest of staff members. Many Justice Center staff members went in together and were so excited to go in and get spooked out. Lunch with Officers - 10/25 Apart of our Bridging the Gap Series: Youth, Community & Police we are now working with local schools...

On October 19th, over 30 community members, Red Hook Community Justice Center staff, and Red Hook  Youth Court members marched in a Peace Walk to raise awareness about Domestic Violence – a critical issue that impacts many within our community.     Red Hook CARES (Counseling & Restorative Services) hosted this event in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month, and the event aimed to empower individuals to stand up and step out against domestic violence and intimate partner violence.  Domestic Violence Police Officers from the 76 th Precinct, NCOs from PSA1, and a representative from local non-profit Center for Family Life joined with community members in denouncing domestic violence while wearing RHCJC T-Shirts and carrying signs with slogans like “Love Shouldn’t Hurt.” Carlotta Walcott (Coordinator of Women’s Services at the Hidden Victims Project) and Mariama Diallo (the Project Director for the African Initiative at Sanctuary for Families...

On September 8 th , Women in Touch, Red Hook CARES (Counseling and Restorative Services), and the Justice Center’s Americorps members joined together to host a community free store in Coffey Park. The Women in Touch office on Richards Street is getting a revamp and our first step was clearing out the clothing and items to make way for the new! Women in Touch has been a long time resource and space for the community of Red Hook and the CARES team is super excited to join them in this project. However; CARES and WIT couldn’t have done it without the help of the Americorps members, who spent all day clearing out the Richards Street apartment and organizing items to give away in the free store. Community members dropped in throughout the day to shop, enjoy some lemonade, and chat about what’s to come in the new space. The Women in Touch office on 135 Richards Street will continue to be a safe, community space. We are re-decorating and furnishing the space to make ...

The Red Hook Community Resilience Corps joined the Student Conservation Association to honor 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance on Governors Island.  Following the events of September 11 Governors Island hosted the National Guard and first responders. Today, we are reminded that New York City is stronger and more resilient because of the service and dedication of individuals. AmeriCorps members worked on the Green Zone and improved the trail paths on the island. The members took pride in giving back and doing something positive! 

Yesterday evening, Red Hook staff, community residents, business owners, local law enforcement and politicians joined together to celebrate Red Hook’s 23 rd  Annual National Night Out Against Crime! Over thirty organizations participated in our resource fair, including New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Carroll Gardens Association and Rebuilding Together just to name a few. A number of elected officals including Councilmembers Lander, Menchaca, Senator Squadron, and Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez spoke a few words, and thanked everyone for coming together and working to make Red Hook a safer community. Activites included pony rides, face painting and relay races between officers and youth. Overall, we had a great turn out and it was very rewarding to see everyone interacting especially with law enforcement. We would like to thank all of the Justice Center staff for helping to put this together and work throughout the event, our court officers Josh ...

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...