Avenues for Justice

As a pioneer in providing an alternative to incarceration for youth offenders for nearly 40 years, Avenues For Justice has remained an outstanding example of criminal justice reform in New York City. By maintaining a rigorous community-based focus on the Lower East Side and East Harlem, and providing clear program goals and responsibilities (accountability, mentorship, counseling, education, job-readiness), we are able to successfully provide these 14 to 21 year olds with the same possibilities enjoyed by others their age. While New York State is spending over $350,000 per year to incarcerate a youth, and realizing a 75% reincarceration rate for their efforts, we are able to dramatically reduce the reincarceration rate for our successful clients to 10% and we do so at a cost of only $4,300 per juvenile. We are committed to doing our part to make New York a safer and more just city for everyone by restoring futures, spending wisely, and building stronger families and communities.