Avenues for Justice
100 Centre Street, Room 1541
New York, NY 10013
info@avenuesforjustice.org
©Copyright 2022 Avenues for Justice. All rights reserved.
Summer is officially underway, and it's already been a powerful season at Avenues for Justice (AFJ).
Over the past few weeks, we've celebrated Juneteenth, honored fathers and father figures, premiered an important documentary on fatherhood, and welcomed inspiring entrepreneurs to share their journeys with our young people. Most importantly, we're providing a summer of opportunity through our HIRE Up workforce program.
A few weeks ago, we launched our Summer Jobs Campaign to support AFJ's HIRE Up Program. We all know that summer can offer a world of possibilities for young people, and we want to make sure our Participants have every opportunity to learn, grow, and build their futures.
Our goal is to raise $25,000, enough to provide 12 young people with eight weeks of paid summer employment, real-world experience, and the confidence that comes from earning a paycheck and contributing to a team.
So far, we've raised $15,198 and have $9,802 left to reach our goal! We're incredibly grateful for the support we've received. But we know we can go further.
Help us strengthen and expand HIRE Up, ensuring more young people have access to meaningful work experiences this summer and beyond.
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AFJ Participant, Daniel, receives a haircut from Greg Purnell, founder of Look Good, Feel Good.
There's something that happens in a barbershop that doesn't happen in many other places. People open up.
Earlier this month, AFJ Participants had the opportunity to spend time with two individuals who embody the power of barbershops as places of mentorship, community, and opportunity.
One of those individuals is Greg Purnell, founder of Look Good, Feel Good, who has become a valued partner to AFJ by regularly providing free haircuts to Participants at both our Harlem and Lower East Side community centers.
A recipient of the David Prize, Greg has spent nearly four decades serving the Brownsville community, often offering free haircuts to those who cannot afford them. Through his work, he's helping ensure that everyone has access to the confidence and dignity that comes with looking and feeling their best.
AFJ Participants also gathered for the second installment of our monthly Founders' Club workshop with Greg Sysoyev, founder of Original Barbershop NYC. Greg shared his journey of immigrating to the United States and building a small Lower East Side barbershop into a thriving community hub and successful business.
Participants asked thoughtful questions, shared business ideas of their own, and learned firsthand how entrepreneurship can create opportunity.
Together, both Gregs reminded us that a barbershop can be much more than a place to get a haircut. It can be a place where confidence is built, connections are made, and futures begin to take shape.
The week of Juneteenth, we had the privilege of premiering The Fatherhood Project in New York City.
Created to challenge assumptions about fathers, fatherhood, and the systems that shape family experiences, the documentary sparked thoughtful conversation among community members, advocates, and leaders.
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was welcoming two fathers featured in the film. Watching them see their stories honored on screen was a powerful reminder of why storytelling matters.
These are stories that deserve to be told with dignity, honesty, and care.
We are grateful to everyone who joined us for the screening and helped make the evening so impactful.
In celebration of Father's Day and Juneteenth, AFJ also hosted a meaningful panel discussion at our LES Community Center, bringing together community leaders and advocates. Read: When Community Gives Back by Speaking Potential Into Our Young People
Catch Up on Our Mass Incarceration Series
Over the past several weeks, we've been exploring the history of mass incarceration, its far-reaching impact, and the lasting effects it has on generations of families and communities.
Through our ongoing blog series, we're examining how incarceration extends far beyond prison walls, shaping mental health, economic opportunity, family stability, and community well-being long after a sentence is served.
If you haven't had a chance to read the series, start here:
These conversations are critical to understanding the challenges many of our young people and families face every day, and why our work matters.
More stories and conversations are on the way.
Thank you for being part of the AFJ community and for helping us create opportunities, strengthen families, and support the next generation of leaders.
