Avenues for Justice
100 Centre Street, Room 1541
New York, NY 10013
(917) 689-3785
©Copyright 2022 Avenues for Justice. All rights reserved.
Avenues for Justice (AFJ) is thrilled to celebrate a momentous achievement - this August marks our 45th anniversary since we were incorporated as the Andrew Glover Youth Program in 1979. What began with a few committed neighbors helping young people in the Lower East Side, has since evolved into one of the country’s most effective Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programs today.
In 1974, Robert Siegal, an NYU student, working out of his small apartment near Tompkins Square Park, had a vision to provide youth on the Lower East Side with a safe space to do their homework, get hot meals, play basketball and socialize with their peers. At a time when the ATI model was unheard of, Robert began working across the criminal justice system to build relationships with local precinct officers and advocating in the courtroom for court-involved youth to receive services instead of incarceration. Robert teamed up with NYPD Police Officer Andrew Glover, who was raised in Harlem and patrolled LES where he engaged the local youth in after school activities.
As the need for court advocacy increased, Robert hired his first assistant, Angel Rodriguez, who at the time was a youth counselor at the local Boy’s Club. The duo quickly began working inside and outside of the courtroom, advocating for justice-impacted youth.
In September 1975, just one block from our flagship Lower East Side community center, Police Officer Glover was tragically killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop. To honor his friend’s impact on the neighborhood, Robert asked Police Officer Glover’s family for permission to name the organization the Andrew Glover Youth Program (AGYP). Sadly, in 1978, Robert’s own life was also cut short due to an illness at the age of 28.
Angel continued the work that Robert and Police Officer Glover had started. In 1979, Angel incorporated the Andrew Glover Youth Program (renamed Avenues for Justice in 2016). A year later, Angel secured headquarters inside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse giving the organization access to rapidly respond to young people entering for court dates. In 1982, the organization purchased our Lower East Side community center on Avenue B (co-named Avenues for Justice Way in 2022) and named it the Robert Siegal Center.
During the 1980's, Angel was joined by several neighbors and volunteers, many of whom still have a longstanding relationship with AFJ until today. They included (ret.) Honorable Judge Michael Corriero who is on our Advisory Council. The organization collaborated with Judge Corriero to launch the Youth Part in Manhattan’s Supreme Court--a court part which prosecutes adolescents separately from adults and promotes alternatives to incarceration services. Today, this model is used nationwide. After 20 years of operation and an increasing need for services in Manhattan, AFJ opened a second community center in 1999 in East Harlem.
In 2018, management along with AFJ’s Board of Directors created an 8-year strategic plan for 2018 – 2026, outlining data-based and financially informed decisions about new expansion opportunities. Recent growth is based on this plan, including providing court advocacy to young people citywide, strengthening core organizational and staff infrastructure, deepening program impact and providing a path forward for income stability and educational advancements for our Participants. In 2023, we strategically began assigning Court Advocates to the various court parts in all five boroughs. As a result of these efforts, of the 296 court-involved Participants served in 2023, 65% resided outside of Manhattan.
Over the last 45 years, our work has proven to be effective and efficient. On average, 94% of AFJ Court-involved Participants are not reconvicted within three years of enrollment at AFJ and 87% are not reconvicted within six years of enrollment. Our experience shows that young people need our wraparound services which in turn reduces crime in the communities we serve and promotes economic stability and educational advancements. Avenues for Justice treats each Participant like an individual, creating a personalized plan to best support their needs as they navigate their path forward. Today, we serve 500 Court-Involved and At-risk Participants annually.
“This month, marks our 45th anniversary after being founded in New York City’s Lower East Side. It’s a remarkable milestone for any organization! I’m grateful to the Board, our supporters, and especially our staff, who have so much heart and dedication. I think about all the Participants who still come to our program far after their court-ordered mandate because they want to continue to show up for themselves and they have hope for a better future for themselves.” ~Angel Rodriguez, AFJ Co-Founder and President
In May, AFJ’s Board of Directors announced the appointment of Liz Frederick as the organization’s new Executive Director. Liz, who previously held the role of Chief Operating Officer since January 2020, has been with AFJ for 18 years and continues the work of former Executive Director and AFJ Co-Founder, Angel Rodriguez. As Executive Director, Liz is at the heart of AFJ's community-driven approach, helping craft a cohesive vision which resonates with the Board, the AFJ team, our Participants and key stakeholders. Liz “thinks about the opportunities for AFJ - for all of us – in the wider justice reform field to continue to provide what we know works: solutions, not prison sentences. Solutions like education, employment, mental health treatment, mentorship, access, and opportunities.”
Working alongside the board and team of thirteen staff members, Liz Frederick will help prioritize holistic support through enrichment programming, such as AFJ’s HIRE Up program, that focuses on longevity and sustainability. She will also work closely with the Chief Program Officer, Gamal Willis, to guide court advocacy and wraparound services, ensuring that the needs of each and every Participant are met both in the courtroom and at our community centers. Beyond the walls of AFJ, she aims to encourage advocacy by building relationships with community members and external stakeholders, along with securing resources that keep the mission of AFJ thriving. Liz is "grateful to our supportive board, Angel, and our AFJ team for trusting me to serve and lead. Mostly, I'm excited for the work we will do together to serve even more young people and to provide a path forward for our Participants.”
“Congratulations on forty-five years of assisting the youth in New York City, their families, and the community overall. Reaching this milestone is a result of having a fierce, dedicated, and caring staff that is deeply committed to the mission of changing the lives of young people.” ~Alanna Rutherford, AFJ Board Chair
As we look forward, Avenues for Justice is committed to providing second chances to young people, who otherwise would have been caught in the criminal justice system, and bettering the lives of hundreds of our Participants throughout NYC in the process.
