Connecting Teens and Young Adults to Summer Internship and Job Opportunities in Red Hook

On Tuesday, May 8th, the Red Hook Community Justice Center hosted our 3rd Annual Youth Summer Internships and Jobs Fair at the Joseph A. Miccio/ NYCHA Community Center in Red Hook, Brooklyn! We opened our doors to over 200 young people between the ages of 14-24 from throughout Brooklyn, with a focus on Red Hook and southwest Brooklyn, in the hopes of providing young people with the chance to apply for paid and unpaid summer employment opportunities at the Justice Center, local businesses and non-profit organizations. 

The Red Hook Community Justice Center began organizing the Summer Internship and Job Fair in response to high unemployment levels among local teens and their strong desire to find work during the summer. Estimates show that the teenage and young adult unemployment rate is substantially higher – about 30% - compared to the local unemployment rate of 9%. Finding summer jobs and internships is a rite of passage for our young people where they gain skills that have been shown to benefit their short-term academic goals and long-term professional careers. We want youth to gain experience and skills in professional fields, network, and help build their resume. Most importantly we want young people to occupy their time during the summer with positive experiences and opportunities. 

Some of the many organizations who participated in the fair were Exalt, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, Hook Productions, Groundswell Mural Project, Department of Youth and Community Development, the 76^th Precinct’s Youth Explorers program, Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez’s Office, the F.A.S.T. Track Program, and Lutheran Family Health Center Community Health Corps; all of which have a deep rooted commitment to the youth in Red Hook and neighboring communities. In addition to these organizations, the Red Hook Community Justice Center and Center for Court Innovation (CCI) also recruited for job and internship opportunities through their New York Juvenile Justice Corps Program (AmeriCorps), Red Hook Community Justice Center Summer Internship Program, CCI’s Youth Justice Board Program, and our partnership program from the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, Youth Organizing to Save our Streets (Y.O.S.O.S.). Educational opportunities were also available, providing vital scholarship information for future high school graduates.

We thank all of the attendees and organizations that participated in this year’s job fair; and we will hopefully see many of these organizations and more next year for our 4^th Annual fair. 

Acting Director of AmeriCorps Visits the New York Juvenile Justice Corps

The New York Juvenile Justice Corps hosted a high-profile visit on April 13th at the Red Hook Community Justice Center, for leaders involved with AmeriCorps at the national and state levels. The Juvenile Justice Corps was chosen as one of only two programs the group visited in New York State.

From left: Judge Hon. Alex Calabrese, Red Hook Community Justice Center, Rosa Moreno-Mahoney, Acting Director - AmeriCorps State & National Corporation for National & Community Service, Mark Walter, Executive Director, New York State Commission on National & Community Service, and Alfred Siegel, Deputy Director, Center for Court Innovation

Visitors, including Adrienne Hallett, Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate Professional Staff, Rosa Moreno-Mahoney, Acting Director - AmeriCorps State & National Corporation for National & Community Service, Mark Walter, Executive Director, New York State Commission on National & Community Service, and Donna M. Smith, State Program Director, New York State Office, Corporation for National & Community Service, heard from Center for Court Innovation staff about the history of AmeriCorps service to the Red Hook community and the important role that the New York Juvenile Justice Corps plays in the Center's greater vision for juvenile justice reform in New York.

Corps members share their experiences in the New York Juvenile Justice Corps with the group.

The group also heard from several current Corps members who discussed their experience in AmeriCorps and the contributions they have made to the sites they have been placed in, which include youth courts,attendance courts, New York City Family Court, New York City Criminal Court, reentry programs and alternative-to-detention programs. Visitors were impressed by the stories members shared about the unique and positive impacts they have made on the youth, programs, and communities they serve. 

Visitors meet members of the New York Juvenile Justice Corps, leading a day-long service project for teen participants of our youth programs in recognition of Law Day.

Corps Member Javan Howard recognized for his service to at-risk youth placed with OCFS

New York Juvenile Justice Corps member, Javan Howard is featured in the latest news publication of his alma mater, Dickinson College. Javan serves at a 24-hour, all-male juvenile facility with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. In this capacity he creates and leads educational programming for the youth, finding new ways to teach core values such as democracy, identity, community-building and service-learning to the residents. Read more here

Congratulations Javan and thank you for your service to your community, AmeriCorps, and the youth at OCFS!

Javan and fellow Corps member Radel Clause volunteer for a recent "It's My Park Day" service project.

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New York Juvenile Justice Corps Celebrates Law Day!

In recognition of this years' Law Day, teen participants of the Red Hook Youth Court and the Red Hook Community Justice Center’s Youth ECHO and photography programs, teamed up with the New York Juvenile Justice Corps and a visiting high school student group from the Civic Educational Project at Northwestern University in Chicago. Although it was the last Friday of Spring Break for New York City Public Schools, over 50 teens and Corps members gathered to make Law Day a "day on, not a day off."

 

Law Day is an occasion to reflect on the role of law in our country and its importance for society with changing themes every year. This year, the theme of Law Day is "No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom." We explored this years' theme through the lens of a few high-profile cases both historical and contemporary in which the courts did not act in the interest of justice and freedom as well as well as cases in which the courts have expanded civil rights and civil liberties. AmeriCorps members facilitated break-out discussion groups on different cases, including the murder of Emmett Till, the Supreme Court's debate over Arizona's immigration law, and the recent death of Trayvon Martin. AmeriCorps members and youth participants discussed the fallibility of the law throughout history as well as the potential for courts to make us a more free, safe, and just society.

 

Corps Members Peter Frankland and Genna Plumatillo facilitated a discussion for the group.

 

Immediately following the morning session, teens and Corps members participated in a service project in Coffey Park, a local park in Red Hook. Corps members and teens helped remove trash and debris, painted over graffiti, and put a fresh coat of paint on park benches and water fountains.Our group collaborated with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation as well as Alice Tapia, a lifelong Red Hook resident, former AmeriCorps and founder of "Friends of Coffey Park", a local volunteer group dedicated to making the once blighted and dangerous park, beautiful, safe and accessible to children in the community.

 

The take home message from the day was that change can be made by the courts as well as in our own communities. We hoped to instill in our teen participants, an deeper understanding of the court system in society, as well as a spirit of civil duty to be the change they want to see in the world.

 

Corps Members Stephanie Turner, Ellis Bullock, Shoneka Kelly, and Adrian Escarffullett tackled weeds growing in the cracks of the cobblestones and had fun doing it!

Corps Member Trime Kaja touches up the paint on the park benches.

The most beautiful time of year in Coffey Park!  

The JJC was joined by community partners Dave Wysocki from the Parks Department and Donna Longobardi from the Red Hook branch of the Brooklyn Public Library as well as staff from the Red Hook Community Justice Center.

 

 

A Great Opening Day for the Red Hook Youth Baseball Season!

Saturday, April 28th marked the opening of the 15th season of the Red Hook Youth Baseball League. The beautiful spring morning began with a ceremony of short speeches and traditional first pitches by honored dignitaries and supporters of the league, including: Kings County District Attorney Honorable Charles J. Hynes, Council Member Sara M. Gonzalez, Felix Palacios the Community Liaison for Speaker Christine Quinn, 76th Precinct Police Captain Jeffrey Schiff, John McGettrick President of the Red Hook Civic Association, and Honorable Judge Alex M. Calabrese of the Red Hook Community Justice Center. The ceremony concluded with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung by Pat Sones a Red Hook resident and longtime friend of the League. Immediately following the ceremony, exhibition games commenced in which Hynes' Heroes defeated the Defenders, and Southern Trucking defeated Gibbs' Brooklyn Youth Association Royals. The League receives generous support from Council Member Gonzalez, and individuals teams are sponsored by the Kings County District Attorney's Office, community members Lou Sones and Brett Taylor, Chris and Liz Hanson of the Southern Trucking Company, and Mr. Romles Gibbs of the Justice Center, respectively.  

Thanks to generous donations, there is no fee to play in the League. The League was founded by a partnership between the local Justice Center, AmeriCorps volunteers and community members and continues to be entirely volunteer-run today. True to its roots, the League is about more than balls and strikes and the coaches and volunteers work hard to instill in the young boys and girls the highest standards of sportsmanship, leadership and respect.

Honorary first pitchers echoed the League's mission to not only provide a venue for structured, competitive baseball, but to also encourage success in school. Ian Young, League Co-Commissioner and President of the SAYO Grays League which has sent 32 ballplayers to college on scholarships the past 2 years, spoke of his pride in seeing his former players go off to college as a result of their sports involvement, saying "Going to college is much more important to me than having one of my players play professional baseball."

The season had been in jeopardy when, in March, 4 of the ballfields were closed by the Health Department due to soil contamination from being the former site of a lead-smelting plant. (The fields are still in the process of being cleaned and renovated.) However, thanks to the hard work of Eddie Vargas, among others, at the New York City Parks Department and numerous public officials and civic groups who advocated on behalf of the League, we were given permits to other Red Hook ballfields and able to have a season.  

  

 Hon. Charles J. Hynes remarked he used to play baseball and still has quite a powerful arm!

 Hynes greets the players of "Hynes' Heroes" coached by ADA's Paul Vitale and Brandon Smith.

 Council Member Gonzalez offers encouragement to the Defenders.

League Commissioners welcome the teams (from left, Brett Taylor, Pete Morales and Ian Younge)

New Police Captain Schiff wishes the ballplayers a great season before throwing out his pitch.

Red Hook Civic Association President John McGettrick gives a heartfelt message to the youth.

Felix Palacios speaks of his Red Hook roots and love for the neighborhood.

Pat Sones delivers a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem while the Southern Trucking team looks on.

League Founder and 13- year Commissioner James Brodick (right) speaks with team sponsor, Mr. Gibbs of the Justice Center.

The boys and girls of the Defenders get ready for game time!

Put me in coach!

Juvenile Justice Corps member and assistant coach of the Defenders Annelly Chalas encourages her team.

The Red Hook Youth Baseball League enters its 15th Season

The Red Hook Youth Baseball League is recruiting for the Spring Season! All boys and girls ages 10-12 are welcome. Players must be 10 years old by April 1, 2012 and cannot turn 13 until May 1, 2012 or later. To sign-up, come to the Red Hook Community Justice Center Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 9:30 AM-4:45 PM or Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM or sign up at the Red Hook Recreation Center (155 Bay Street) during pre-season practice. Pre-Season practice will be held on Saturday, March 17^th, 24^th and 31^st at the Lorraine Street ballfields at the corner of Lorraine and Henry Streets. The deadline to register is March 31. Opening Day ceremonies will be held on April 14^th at 9:00 AM and Trophy Day celebrations will be held June 29^th immediately following the championship game.

Thanks to generous donations from Councilwoman Sara M. Gonzalez, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, and other team sponsors, there is no registration fee to play. The uniform fee is $10 plus two hours of volunteer service on April 7^th with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to help beautify the fields before the start of the season. 

The Red Hook Youth Baseball League is a unique collaboration between the Red Hook Community Justice Center, Kings County District Attorney’s Office, local businesses, and community volunteers. The League was founded in 1996 by AmeriCorps volunteers and staff members from the Red Hook Community Justice Center as an effort to bring organized sports to youth in the neighborhood. Despite Red Hook’s abundance of ballfields, there hadn’t been organized baseball in Red Hook for 18 years before the founding of this League.

Every year since then, on any given Saturday in the springtime, more than 150 boys and girls, dozens of community volunteers and parents fill the baseball diamonds and stands. The Red Hook Youth Baseball League is still about more than balls and strikes; everyone involved works to instill in the young ballplayers the highest standards of sportsmanship, leadership and respect. The philosophy of the league is to provide Red Hook youth with structured, competitive baseball, while at the same time encouraging their continued success in school and supporting them to become contributing members of the community.

The Red Hook Youth Baseball League acknowledges Commissioner of the League, Mr. Pete Morales, for his leadership and dedication to the youth of Red Hook. The League would not be possible without the support of its generous sponsors, including Councilwoman Sara M. Gonzalez, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, The Southern Trucking Co., The Brazen Head, Mr. Romles Gibbs, Mr. Brett Taylor, Ms. Phoebe Washburn, Smart Tax, Fairway Market, The O’Connell Organization, Arizona Iced Tea and other supporters.

For more information about the League, how to sign-up or to make a tax-deductible donation, contact Viviana Gordon at 718-923-8274 or VGORDON@courts.state.ny.us.

 Two young Defenders watch on as their teammate steps up to the plate.

 One BYA batter shows good form while a Defenders' fielder waits ready.

Coaches from Southern Trucking talk pre-game strategy with their team.

 

A number of leaders in the Red Hook community were honored by being invited to throw the "first pitch", including (from left to right): Romles Gibbs from the Criminal Justice Agency, Hon. Judge Alex Calabrese, Captain Jack Lewis of the 76th Precinct, League Commissioner Pete Morales, Court Officer Leroy Davis, Julian Adler Project Director of the Red Hook Community Justice Center, Wally Bazemore of the League Board of Directors, James Brodick former Project Director of the Justice Center and League Founder, and Brett Taylor, former Legal Aid attorney and team sponsor of the "Defenders."  

Corps Members Lead Event in honor of MLK where Brooklyn Teens "Dream of a Better Brooklyn"

Despite the fact that yesterday was a school and court holiday, more than one hundred Brooklyn teens, AmeriCorps members and Center for Court Innovation staff came together in Red Hook for Martin Luther King Day of Service to make the holiday a “day on, not a day off.” In observance of what would been Dr. King’s 83^rd birthday, members of the New York Juvenile Justice Corps were joined by teens from the Red Hook Youth Court, Brownsville Youth Court, Greenpoint Youth Court, Crown Heights Community Mediation Center’s YO SOS and Red Hook Community Justice Center’s Youth ECHO for an event entitled “We Have a Dream too, A Dream for a Better Brooklyn.”

To kick off yesterday’s program, Juvenile Justice Corps members facilitated break-out groups on topics such as discrimination, police brutality, segregation, civil disobedience, peace and non-violence, civil rights and freedom and discussed how many of the injustices Dr. King fought still affect our communities today. Teens reporting back to the whole group one thing they learned or took away from each discussion, including reflections on how New York City is still segregated in many ways, and on how remarkable it was that our group was so diverse with people from all backgrounds. Additionally, in preparation for the event, all of the teens read Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and wrote their own speeches and poems “for a better Brooklyn.” During the event, twenty-two teens shared their original pieces interspersed with selections from Dr. King’s speech. The readings were poignant, powerful, and beautifully written. A few excerpts from the pieces shared and pictures are below.

The take home message from the day was that Dr. King’s legacy lives on in all of us and we are all responsible to promote his dream for a more equitable and just world. It was inspiring to be in a room filled with young people who are already embodying Dr. King's dream as leaders in their communities, schools and workplaces. Through serving on Youth Courts, doing community organizing through ECHO or YO SOS, or giving a year of service through AmeriCorps, they have already committed to working toward justice, to standing alongside the most vulnerable among us, and to finding positive solutions to problems in our communities.

Corps members lead teens in a discussion about civil rights

Excerpts from some of yesterdays speeches:

“I have a dream that one day the neighborhoods of Brooklyn will unite. That the children of the future will not be afraid to dream big while they gaze our there windows. Whether those windows are out of public housing, shelters, brownstones or even the 6^th floor of apartment somewhere in Brownsville. I have a dream that one day they will refuse to look for the love of the streets because they will find all the love they ever needed and more in the trust of the system. They will find comfort in education and choose the community as their backbone, believing Brooklyn can be the wind beneath their wings instead of the invisible force and environment that hinders. A dream that all my beautiful sisters will rise with high self-esteem and ambition, striving to be better than their best. That they will no longer let the media degrade them or let them feel they are not beautiful in their own ebony skin. I have a dream that my beautiful brothers will break the hidden cycles. They will turn away those life endangering orange jumpsuits and embrace black ties with white collars leaving the streets behind.“

Teens from the Brownsville, Greenpoint and Red Hook Youth Courts discuss segregation under Jim Crow laws

“I had a dream. This dream showed me what I wanted my better Brooklyn to be. I dreamed that everyone will refuse to be another black statistic. And in the future I do not want to wear a barcode across our chest, to let a certain clothing line define us. I dream that Brooklyn will be better. I dream for our children to always have fathers. I refuse to grow up carrying the generational curse. I refuse to let my people be viewed as temporary. And I feel it is my job and the job of the next generation to continue on this path. Because we should all refuse to be another black statistic.”

Corps members facilitate a dialogue on the history of discrimination in the US

“My Dad and I walked up the street. It was cold outside, so we wore hoodies to protect our faces against the cold. I spotted a white couple approaching us as we walked. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have really cared to notice the complexion of the persons that I encounter as I walk from one place to another, until they crossed the street to a deserted area littered with broken bottles, cigarette butts, and animal dung. No one ever walks on that side of the street, so immediately I found it strange. You could see the look of fear in the woman’s eyes moved from me to my father. Instinctively, the woman grabbed the collar of her coat in attempt to mask the warning nudge she gave to her partner…I often observe silent social segregation in my neighborhood. That white couple seemed to confirm my theory. As my father and I walked with our sweatshirt hoods covering our heads, walking in rhythm, minding our business, they surveyed us as no-good thugs…But allow me to bring your attention to this: Red Hook – where I live – is literally cut in half by an overpass that acts as a border. Before the border is a predominantly white neighborhood. After the border the neighborhood is predominantly black. It epitomizes de facto segregation which irks me given the history of this country. So my dream for Red Hook, Brooklyn, and for America, is to transcend these divisions. There should be a sense of togetherness not tied to color, but to humanity.”

Teens share their own "dreams for a better Brooklyn"

"I have a dream that one day everyone in Brooklyn will be able to live affordably. That the powers that govern our state and federal government will be cleansed of all corruption and the top one percent will share their wealth.
I have a dream that all sick people from infants to senior citizens will not be denied health care no matter how much money they make. That people will rise together and unify the communities instead of tearing them a part with violence.
There will be that one day when we will not see any homeless people in the subway station. That one day when the price of food will be affordable to every family. White, Black, or poor, a dream where people will not have to cling to their assets in case the economic system fails and that everyone will be guaranteed a safe place to live.
I have a dream where bills do not take up the majority of your pay check. A dream where people are not taken advantage of and forced to make the bare minimum. A dream where people are truly free. Let’s remember that a dream can only be made into a reality if everyone does their part. A dream that is ideal for all the future generations, a dream that everyone deserves."

After the program everyone gathered for moment of silence in honor of Dr. King