AFJ On the Move

Born on the avenues of the Lower East Side, with a strong presence in the court parts of Centre Street, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) grew into Harlem and expanded to four program sites. But our reach doesn't stop in the five boroughs. The work of reimagining justice and expanding what's possible for our Participants takes us across NYC intersections, upstate to Albany, and into conference rooms on Park Avenue.

AFJ Participants have been out and about in a big way recently. This week, we're sharing two experiences that show exactly what it looks like when we create pathways of opportunity for our young people.

AFJ Takes On Albany

AFJ Participant Tomie (pictured in a brown polo) joins fellow conference attendees and panelists at the 2026 Youth Justice Conference in Albany.

In May, AFJ traveled to the Albany Capital Center for the 2026 Youth Justice Conference, a statewide gathering of advocates, practitioners, and leaders united by a commitment to transforming the systems that serve young people. This year's theme, "Reimagining Through the Lens of Our Youth," could not have been more aligned with AFJ's mission.

And no one embodied that theme better than AFJ Participant Tomie.

Tomie was selected to join the town hall-style panel designed to center the lived experiences of young people in the justice reimagination conversation. Tomie and four peers spoke with honesty, clarity, and power that drew repeated applause from the room.

In one especially memorable moment, Tomie offered a powerful reflection: "You know about fleas and how they can jump nearly 30 feet? There was an experiment where fleas were placed in a jar just one foot high. The fleas born inside that jar couldn't jump out of it. The environment you grow in, affects the way in which you can grow."

That is the AFJ philosophy. When we broaden the avenues for our young people, and meet them with trust, resources, and genuine opportunity, they soar!

Conference organizers followed up with glowing praise, noting that the youth panelists brought "amazing perspective and just the honest dialogue" they were hoping for, and that their presence "kept attendees thinking about what could be done to really reimagine systems to better serve young people."

AFJ's Manager of Court Advocacy and Outreach, Brian, accompanied Tomie and this kind of shared experience, where staff and Participants grow together, reflects our deep belief that the relationships at AFJ go far beyond case management. The conference was also a powerful networking opportunity, connecting AFJ with practitioners and advocates from across New York State who share our commitment to young people. One highlight was the chance to learn from the Youth Empowerment Leadership Council, an organization with a fully developed, youth-driven leadership model that offered an inspiring look at what AFJ is building toward.

We are proud of Tomie. We are grateful for Brian's leadership. And we are energized by everything we brought home from Albany.

AFJ Takes On Centerview Partners

AFJ Participants meet with Centerview Partner, Richard Case, along with the Centerview team at their Park Avenue office in NYC.

In the heart of midtown, a different kind of experience took place. A group of AFJ Participants visited Centerview Partners for a career exposure and networking session---which delivered on every level. The visit was made possible by AFJ’s Executive Director, Liz Frederick, and Centerview Partner, Richard Case, who were paired for a two-year partnership as part of the Greater NY Class of 2027.

Participants interacted with Centerview professionals in the financial advisory industry, received candid advice on college, choosing a major, and building a career. But more importantly, they left with a broader grasp of what their futures could hold. The group included current AFJ interns, along with AFJ Participants who had recently completed AFJ’s HIRE Up internship placements. This is AFJ's HIRE UP model in action: opening doors to employment, career readiness, and possibility, and making sure our young people can see themselves in rooms they may not have imagined before.

A heartfelt thank you to Richard Case and the Centerview team for opening their corporate doors and helping our Participants envision new possibilities for their futures.

Looking Ahead

From a conference stage in Albany to a conference room in Manhattan, AFJ Participants are showing up and showing out wherever the opportunity takes them. Our roots are in the Lower East Side and Harlem, but our work crosses every borough, every county, and every room that's willing to make space for young people.

That's what AFJ is about: sharing the stage, speaking truth, and expanding the room.