Explore Avenues for Justice’s (AFJ) journey from our humble beginnings in 1979 in the Lower East Side as the Andrew Glover Youth Program, to becoming a leading force in Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) work. For 45 years, AFJ has provided NYC’s young people with court advocacy and wraparound services to set them up for successful and brighter futures. Discover the milestones that have shaped our impactful history!
Robert Siegal, an NYU student working out of his small apartment near Tompkins Square Park, has a vision to provide the youth on the Lower East Side with a safe space to do their homework, get meals, play basketball, and socialize with their community and peers.
Police Officer Andrew Glover is shot and killed during a traffic stop on East 5th Street, near Avenue B, in the Lower East Side.
Co-Founder Robert Siegal’s life is tragically cut short due to illness at the age of 28.
The Andrew Glover Youth Program’s full-time staff consists of Angel Rodriguez as Program Director, Sandra Vega as the Administrative Assistant, and Hector Rivera as one of the first Youth Workers.
The Andrew Glover Youth Program opens flagship Robert Siegal Center on 100 Avenue B.
The Andrew Glover Youth Program is featured in media for the first time in a New York Magazine article highlighting Co-Founder Angel Rodriguez’s work in the Lower East Side.
The organization collaborates with (ret.) Hon. Judge Michael Corriero to launch the Youth Part model in Manhattan’s Supreme Court. A model now used nationwide, the Youth Part is where adolescents are tried separately from adults and promotes alternative to incarceration services.
Co-Founder Angel Rodriguez is selected as one of three outstanding community activists in New York City to receive the Robin Hood Foundation's Hero Award.
Co-Founder Angel Rodriguez establishes a second community center in East Harlem.
Elsie Flores, successful Program Graduate and future AFJ Court Advocate, is honored with the Second Chance Award at the organization’s annual gala.
The organization moves from East Harlem storefront to larger Harlem location at 69 East 130th Street.
The organization rebrands from the Andrew Glover Youth Program to Avenues for Justice (AFJ). The new name not only honors beginnings on the avenues of the Lower East Side, but it signifies AFJ's goal to set each Participant on a successful path to a better future.
New York State raises the age of criminal responsibility to 18 years of age, ensuring that young people in New York who commit non-violent crimes receive the intervention and evidence-based treatment they need.
Avenues for Justice’s management, along with AFJ’s Board of Directors, create an 8-year strategic plan for 2018 – 2026, outlining data-based and financially informed decisions about new expansion opportunities. It includes providing court advocacy and wraparound services to young people citywide.
Avenues for Justice begins to provide court advocacy to a short-term diversion program for younger Participants whose cases are in the NYC Family Court ("Family Court Diversion").
Avenues for Justice adds multiple new, sustainable programs as a result of the COVID pandemic. On March 13, 2020, all AFJ community centers are closed to comply with the State quarantine, and services are quickly moved online, including intake and court advocacy, and purchased technology for Participants' homes so they could access programs on an online platform. AFJ launches the HIRE Up program for education, employment, and mental health wellness.
AFJ hosts first in-house Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) which is a paid internship program through NYC’s Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) at our Lower East Side Robert Siegal Center.
NYC’s City Council approves the co-naming of Avenue B as “Avenues for Justice Way” where AFJ’s flagship Lower East Side community center is located at 100 Avenue B.
In 2023, AFJ strategically begins 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.
AFJ serves an organization record of 517 Court-Involved and At-Risk Participants.
AFJ launches paid HIRE UP internship program in partnership with over 20 local NYC businesses.
AFJ’s Board of Directors announce 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, continues the work of AFJ Co-Founder and now President, Angel Rodriguez.