Red Hook Justice - Your Community. Your Court.: Thank You AmeriCorps Members

Red Hook Justice - Your Community. Your Court.: Thank You AmeriCorps Members: Last Friday we held a graduation for our AmeriCorps members, the last class of the New York Juvenile Justice Corps . Over the past year, the...

Red Hook's 19th Annual National Night Out Against Crime

We hope you can join us! There will be food, music, and a good time!

Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader

Joseph Addison once said, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”

On June 21^st, the New York Juvenile Justice Corps hosted their 3^rd Annual Kids Book Fair at the Red Hook branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. Children came from all directions and gathered around our tables to pick out books to read over the summer. Our JJC members were more than prepared and greeted every child and parent that passed by our tables filled with books. The kids looked with awe and wonder as they saw books of mystery, of adventure, and of their favorite cartoon characters. Kids left the book fair with smiles on their faces and bags full of books. A 12-year-old at the book fair said, “My mom is going to be upset that I brought all these books in the house but, I don’t care, I love to read.” Corps members also gave out handmade bookmarks with quotes about the importance of reading and tips to prevent the “Summer Slide.”

Corps members gear up to help kids find the perfect summer reading book

 The “Summer Slide” is a slippery slope; it describes the 2 months of learning loss that occurs with children over the summer break. It causes a significant achievement and learning gap that causes children to fall behind on their studies. Our goal is to promote and encourage the excitement of reading and to increase access to age-appropriate books.

Corps member Lisa makes a recommendation to a pair of friends 

This could have not been a success without our supporters and partners. We would like to thank Tymberly Harris of the Packer Collegiate Institute for donating all of the amazing books. Thank you to Ronell Jack and Nelson Rivera and the Red Hook community service crews for their assistance moving the books.  A big thanks to Nate’s Pharmacy who donated wonderful tote and plastic bags for the youthful readers. Last but certainly not least, a thank you to the Red Hook Community Justice Center and New York Juvenile  Justice Corps members for supporting, organizing,  and for making this amazing day possible.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Closed.

Take a look below for some more photos of the wonderful day!



 

What is Your Teen Doing this Summer?

Summer employment and activities are critical to the social and economic development of our young people. The Wall Street Journal reported that in 2012, 16- to 19-year-olds in New York City have experienced an unemployment rate of above 30% for three years in a row, three times the city’s unemployment rate. One in five New Yorkers between 18 and 24 are out of school and out of work. A report issued this year by New York City’s Workforce Investment Board described the consequences of young adults struggling to find jobs. “Research has indicated that work is ‘path-dependent’: those who work at age 17 are more likely to work at 19, and more likely to work into their early 20s and beyond.” And unfortunately, many young people without employment, extra-curricular activities, or in school, get bored and get into trouble.
 

Our young people are eager to work, earn money, and learn new skills if given the opportunity. To that end, the Red Hook Community Justice Center is providing several exciting opportunities.
 

On May 7^th, the Justice Center hosted its Annual Summer Internship Fair for teens and young adults at the NYCHA Miccio Community Center. Over 200 young people came out to learn about exciting opportunities with organizations like: Exalt; Added Value; Groundswell Mural Project; Youth Made Media, and Green City Force.

  

The Justice Center will offer an exciting new photography program called JustArts: Photo Voice in partnership with the Brooklyn Arts Council. Twenty participants ages 16-24 will be selected to participate, and will receive a $600 stipend, metrocards, and a camera. Participants will learn the technical and artistic skills of photography and explore various themes through the photo voice curriculum, with the instruction of professional photographers.

The Justice Center will continue its successful collaboration with the local and renowned Red Hook gallery, Kentler International Drawing Space, and provide summer programming for local pre-teens though our JustArtsDrawing Program: Make Your Mark. Students will explore the many ways and artist can draw INSIDE OUT. The will learn to use their imagination skills and create drawings like never before. Students will be led by K.I.D.S. Teaching Artist, Meghan Keane. Participants must be 11-13 years old and preferably live in Red Hook.

The Justice Center has just finished recruitment for our Summer Internship Program for high school students. Teens will receive professional development training at the Justice Center and are then placed at local organizations and businesses. Nearly 200 applications were received for just 15-20 spots.

The Justice Center will also begin recruitment for its AmeriCorps program, the New York Juvenile Justice Corps shortly, so look out for more information.

 ~Jessica

 

Make Your Mark

In collaboration with the Kentler International Drawing Space (K.I.D.S.), the Red Hook Community Justice Center is excited to announce that we are recruiting for the JustArts: Drawing Program "Make Your Mark."

Students will explore the many ways and artist can draw INSIDE OUT. The will learn to use their imagination skills and create drawings like never before. Students will be led by K.I.D.S. Teaching Artist, Meghan Keane.

Participants must be 11-13 years old and preferably live in Red Hook. The program will meet at the Red Hook Community Justice Center on Monday, Tuesday an Wednesday from 11:00 - 12:30, from July 15 - July 31. For more information, contact Sabrina at 718-923-8261.

Find Your Photo Voice

In collaboration with the Brooklyn Arts Council, the Red Hook Community Justice Center is excited to announce that we are recruiting for JustArts: Photo Voice. Participants will learn the technical and artistic skills of photography and explore various themes through the photo voice curriculum, with the instruction of professional photographers. The photographs will be professionally exhibited.

Particpants will receive metro cards, a camera and a $600 stipend. Applicants must be 16-24 years old. Those not working or enrolled in school are encouraged to apply. The programs will run from July 29th - September 6th, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 2-5pm at the Red Hook Community Justice Center and the Brooklyn Arts Council in DUMBO Brooklyn. Residents from Red Hook, Gowanus, Sunset Park, and Park Slope are encouraged to apply. No previous photography experience is necessary. The DEADLINE TO APPLY IS FRIDAY JULY 12!

For more information and to apply, call Sabrina at 718-923-8261.

Photo Voice is funded by the New York City Center for Economic Opportunity.

Apply NOW to become a NYC Service Fellow

What does it mean to be a NYC Service Fellow?
The NYC Service Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to obtain practical City government experience in the areas of volunteerism and community service at the City level. The centerpiece of this year-long fellowship, offered to recent college graduates, is a work experience at NYC Service — Mayor Michael R Bloomberg’s comprehensive program to engage more New Yorkers in volunteer service and target those volunteers towards the City’s greatest areas of need.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for consideration as a candidate, applicants must meet the following requirements as of the time of their application:

• Applicants must be recent graduates, no more than two full years out of college. We accept applications from students who achieved their undergraduate degree in Spring of 2013, 2012 or 2011.

• Eligibility is based on when you achieved your undergraduate degree.

• Applicants must have one year service related experience.

• Fellows must be prepared to participate in the program on a full-time basis for one full year. While a NYC Service Fellow, fellows may not have any additional job and may not attend graduate studies. This Fellowship requires a full time commitment.

• Fellows must meet the eligibility requirements to work in NYC, i.e. full compliance with the I-9 form from US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

What do I get out of this?

Fellows, who in addition to meeting all other stated requirements, must have one year service related work experience are paid a taxable stipend of $45,768.

How can I get involved?

Check out the following link for more info and the application: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcas/html/work/nycservice.shtml or email urbanfellows@dcas.nyc.gov with any questions. The deadline is TODAY! Apply now and get involved!