Meet Our 2023 Stellar Prevention Participant, Channel

While Avenues for Justice (AFJ)’s core programming is grounded in efforts to keep young people out of jail and from further involvement with the criminal justice system, AFJ also provides services to at-risk Prevention Participants. These Participants are youth who live in Black and brown communities where risk of involvement with law enforcement is much higher. The majority of our at-risk Prevention population are young people who have Court-Involved siblings/friends/partners in our program; are the siblings/family members of AFJ alumni and program graduates; are referred to us by family and community members who live in the neighborhoods where our two community centers are located; are referred by school administrators, guidance counselors and educators; or are referred to us by social service providers or partner organizations. They take part in all of AFJ’s HIRE Up enrichment programs and do not have active legal proceedings. 

Today, we want to highlight Channel, one of our star 2023 Prevention Participants.

Currently a senior in high school, Channel grew up in an under-resourced Brooklyn neighborhood with inadequate opportunities to participate in healthy extracurricular activities. Determined not to turn to the streets as an outlet, Channel focused on her love for dancing, singing, art, nature and gymnastics. Even though her family could not afford gymnastics classes, she eagerly practiced at home. Channel knows that she would have likely gravitated towards hanging out with the wrong crowd if she had sat idly at home afterschool. 

Growing up, Channel developed most of her friendships at school and not from her neighborhood. One of the friends she made at school was AFJ preventive Participant, C.S., whose older brother had been mandated to AFJ by the courts. While C.S.’s older brother sought assistance from AFJ with his legal matters, C.S. quickly became one of AFJ’s most committed Prevention Participants. When Channel first came to AFJ’s Lower East Side community center with C.S., she was impressed by how welcoming the program staff were and by how much the center felt like a safe space for building comradery. Typically one to be easily intimidated by new environments, Channel had anoverwhelming urge to get to know her peers. 

In Fall2023, after the completion of her Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), she wanted to find an internship opportunity while finishing her senior year of high school. Channel reached out to AFJ’S Senior Court Advocate, Nelson, to see if he had any leads on internship placements. Channel was in luck as AFJ had just started the application process for the Fall internship cohort and after completing the interview screening process, she was hired!

Channel demonstrated tremendous growth and maturity as a result of participating in AFJ’s internship program. She advocated for herself by reaching out to AFJ Court Advocates, Shantel and Julia, who spearheaded the 2023 internship series, to inform them that her first placement was not a good fit. During the orientation, Channel recalled having a great conversation with Nick, the owner of St. Marks Yoga, and requested to be reassigned there.

While interning at St. Marks Yoga, Channel was responsible for running the front desk, assisting with studio setup, helping guests with sign up, and helping maintain the facility. Coincidentally, she had started to practice yoga and meditation prior to her internship, so she was thrilled to be able to participate in a few classes at the studio. Channel also developed valuable time management skills, balancing her 125-hour internship schedule while not missing a beat at school. She maximized the two-hour window between classes and the internship to get her schoolwork done. 

"Channel is a star. She is always welcoming and and kind to those around her and has really great communication skills. During the interview process, she did very well and we knew immediately she would be a great fit at St. Mark Yoga Studio. I look forward to seeing her grow, as well as becoming more involved in what AFJ has to offer." ~Shantel, AFJ Court Advocate

"Channel is a wonderful young woman. She is extremely responsible, organized and communicative. She was balancing a rigorous school schedule, working at the yoga studio and applying to competitive universities. She is very approach able and outgoing and puts those around her in a better mood. She is a role model student and intern!" ~Julia, AFJ Court Advocate

"Channel is an amazing young woman who puts her best effort into education and employment. She has a unique style and is well liked by her peers. When you give Channel an assignment, she will gladly help to complete the task." ~Nelson, AFJ Senior Court Advocate

"Channel is a bright presence at St. Marks Yoga. She has a friendliness and a confidence that contributes well to a happy work environment. Her role at the studio is to greet our yoga students and help orient them around a busy room. She shows ease in this role and even takes initiative to improve, by advancing her understanding of our check-in software and locating items scattered around the space. I would recommend any employer find a role for Channel on their team." ~Nick Velkov, Owner, St. Marks Yoga

Channel is thinking about applying to Fordham University or one of the SUNY/CUNY institutions with the hopes of a career in real estate. AFJ is excited to follow Channel on her path forward to success and to support her ambitions!