You Are Invited To AFJ’s Screening of Our Legacy Documentary on November 14th

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‍Avenues for Justice (AFJ) is honored to celebrate the screening of our 2024 legacy documentary, “An Avenue Named Justice: 45 Years of Second Chances” on Thursday, November 14th at Stuart Cinema in Brooklyn. The documentary explores what happens when a group commits to and fights for second chances and justice for all. Executive produced by AFJ’s special events partner, LaJoy Plans, the film features AFJ staff, AFJ Board members, AFJ allies and public officials.

“While the work truly never stops, we knew it was important to take a step back to celebrate all the hard work we’ve accomplished since Co-Founders Bob Siegal and Angel Rodriguez started the Andrew Glover Youth Program in the Lower East Side. This documentary showcases the best that AFJ has offered for the past 45 years. It is amazing to see how far we have come in providing court advocacy to hundreds of Participants.” ~Liz Frederick, Executive Director

Started back in April of this year, AFJ and LaJoy Plans began filming impactful interviews at both our Harlem and Lower East Side community centers to create a 30-minute documentary dedicated to the history of our organization. Narrated by AFJ’s Manager of Court Advocacy, Brian Stanley, the film takes the audience through what started as a few committed neighbors helping young people in the Lower East Side, to one of the country’s first and most cost-effective Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) programs today. More importantly, it highlights the legacies of AFJ’s Co-founders Robert (Bob) Siegel and Angel Rodriguez.

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“In writing the narration of the documentary and interviewing the participants, my intent was to tell a story that demonstrated what happens when struggles end in strength, and what happens when we remove ego from our lives and dedicate our lives to true, sometimes unseen service. My hope is that people who watch this documentary will want to support Avenues for Justice for the next 45 years, but more so to strive to live like Angel Rodriguez and Robert Siegel, as servant leaders." ~Melva LaJoy Legrand, Executive Producer

Always looking to foster relationships with BIPOC-owned small businesses, it only made sense to host the official screening at a Black-woman-owned movie theater in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Stuart Cinema & Cafe. Founded by Emelyn Stuart in 2018, Stuart Cinemas was one of the first businesses to partner part in AFJ’s HIRE Up 8-week paid internship program in 2023, welcoming 12 Participants to learn about running a movie theater. An additional 7 Participants worked with Stuart Cinemas through AFJ’s SYEP (Summer Youth Employment Program). One AFJ Participant completed two internship placements with Stuart Cinema, along with SYEP, and was subsequently hired by a company over this summer as a result of their internship experience.

We invite you to the screening of “An Avenue Named Justice: 45 Years of Second Chances” at Stuart Cinema & Cafe on Thursday, November 14th. The evening will kick off with a short reception starting at 6:15pm. There will be a panel discussion following the documentary and will include AFJ staff, board members, and community partners as we continue the vital conversation around criminal justice reform. Seating is limited, so please reserve your spot today.