NYC Defenders Release 2022 Statewide Criminal Legal System Reform Priorities

At the start of the new year, the New York City Defender Organizations came together to agree upon our 2022 Statewide Criminal Legal System Priorities. Some of these priorities include reducing the number of people being held inside jails as well as reducing the number of people being sent to jail across the state. Additionally, we call for the defense of critical reforms such as bail, discovery reform, and Raise the Age legislation.

Read the complete list of priorities here.

Queens Defenders Partners with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for Cannabis Webinar

On Tuesday, January 25th, Queens Defenders joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for a 'Cannabis Take Action' Webinar.

Queens Defenders' Director of Special Projects, Kirlyn Joseph and Staff Attorney, Mani Tafari were joined by other panelists including: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; Katherine Brezler, The Office of the Queens Borough President’s Strategic Advisor; and Simon Malinowski, an attorney with Harris Bricken’s New York Office; moderated by Tariqua Morrison, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for The Office of the Queens Borough President.

This discussion was for Queens area residents to learn about the intricacies of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act and how it will benefit those in our borough. Read more about the event here, and watch the full informative webinar on YouTube here.

Two Young Adult Leaders, Hector and Andre, Promoted to Housing Navigators

Hector Rodriguez and Andre Hussey have been hired to the Housing Navigator team. “I am proud of our Young Adult Leaders Andre and Hector who rose to the challenge and were promoted to be a part of this team,” Housing Navigator Supervisor & Director of Food Justice, Stan Khaldarov said. The Young Adult Leader Program supports Far Rockaway Youth with part-time employment paired with youth development and college and career readiness activities. Our Young Adult Leaders are a crucial part of our community-based Outreach Programs and are often the first to step in and help individuals in need of assistance or coordinate community education events on topics including healthy relationships, college readiness information, and Know Your Rights workshops.

Hector and Andre started with Queens Defenders in the Summer of 2018, and have worked their way up since then to expand their impact on the community.

Queens Defenders Visits Local Middle School to Spread Awareness about Our Youth Services

This month, members of our Community Outreach team visited Village Academy in Far Rockaway to share information about our Youth Services. The Team consisted of Queens Defenders’ Director of Youth Programs, Brandon Jeffries and Youth Program Assistant, Theodore Robinson, as well as Young Adult Leaders, Andre, Hector, Amari, and Mike. There were over 100 students present to hear from the Queens Defender Team. 

The Team shared information about Youth Justice Court, Tutoring Services, Safe Space, and Sports for Family Health. Students were excited to hear about the services offered in their community. The event concluded with four students coming on stage to show off their dance moves.

Read more about our visit to Village Academy here.

Rockaway Community Justice Center Expands Services Despite Challenging Conditions due to COVID 

In its first full year, despite having to transition between in-person and virtual programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rockaway Community Justice Center continuously offered various free services to the Far Rockaway Community and Community Court participants in particular. 

One Community Court participant, Roger, has experienced great success through our programming. Roger was brought to the Community Court due to being charged with petty larceny. He is currently employed as a driver for Veteran Services and plans to obtain his GED. Roger has a strong passion for photography and videography, which he plans on pursuing through a connection made at Queens Defenders. 

Read more about the impactful work happening at the RCJC here. 

Rockaway Outreach Center Client Reflects Positively on Queens Defenders' Impact 

Ms. Spencer is a 33-year-old budding professional and mother to a two-year-old boy. She has a passion for visual art, music, real estate, health, and wellness. As a hardworking single mother, she has managed to transcend home instability and secure a stable apartment for herself and her child. Queens Defenders met Ms. Spencer in 2019 and has been working with her ever since.

Ms. Spencer recently passed the NYS Real Estate Licensing Exam, and she manages her own Online Health & Wellness Brand.

Ms. Spencer says, "Queens Defenders gave me the confidence I needed to shine. Queens Defenders has been very helpful in my recent journey. I think Queens Defenders is a strong asset to the community and I would strongly recommend this organization.”

Read more about Ms. Spencer's experience here.