Avenues for Justice
100 Centre Street, Room 1541
New York, NY 10013
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In September 2025, a Court-Involved friend mandated to Avenues for Justice (AFJ) recommended the program to Darrian. His friend had been working with Elsie Flores, one of AFJ’s Court Advocates, and encouraged Darrian to stop by the Lower East Side community center. He was adamant that AFJ might be able to help him too.
At just 20 years old, Darrian was at a crossroad in his life and unclear at how to move past a legal situation he was confronted with. He sat down with Elsie to talk through what was he was facing. Together, they co-created an Individual Action Plan (IAP)—the roadmap where each Participant sets goals and outlines a concrete plan for the months ahead with their Court Advocate.
Darrian’s presence at AFJ was not a matter of a court mandate. He arrived entirely of his own volition, presenting himself to Elsie with a clear, unvarnished declaration: he was ready to work hard to transform his life and move forward. "Darrian was self-driven, ambitious, and determined to dig himself out of the rut," Elsie shared. Recognizing his resolve, they tailored his immediate goals, anchoring his future around sustainable employment and active enrollment in AFJ’s Gun Violence Prevention Initiative.
AFJ’s Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI) launched its first cohort in the fall of 2025. The eight-week program creates a space for young people to openly explore the pressures, emotions, and influences surrounding guns, conflict, and safety. Darrian, among the first to enroll, found the sessions profoundly transformative for processing his own lived experiences. He likened the environment to a form of therapy, noting that he consistently departed each session with a lighter emotional burden than when he arrived.
Parallel to his personal growth, Darrian accelerated his professional development. Within his first month at AFJ, he secured construction credentials—including OSHA-30, Flagger, and Scaffolding certifications—and entered AFJ’s HIRE UP paid internship program. He was placed at Happy Cork, a prominent Black-owned wine boutique in Brooklyn, where he gained comprehensive experience in inventory logistics, merchandising, and supply chain operations. Following two successful internship cycles, Darrian seamlessly transitioned into a full-time role at the establishment. His trajectory from intern to permanent employee embodies the core mission of HIRE Up: equipping young people with the hands-on experience, technical skill sets, and professional networks necessary to unlock enduring career opportunities.
As Darrian consistently achieved his milestones, his growth became unmistakable. In May, his dedication earned him a selection for the 18-month Youth & Congregations in Partnership (YCP) initiative through the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. This pivotal opportunity provided a foundation of structured guidance, counseling, community service, and a continuous bond with AFJ to sustain his upward trajectory.
Court Advocate Elsie commends Darrian for maximizing this turning point. Today, equipped with gainful employment, professional credentials, and a robust support network, he is actively engineering his future.
“I am so happy Darrian was given this opportunity. He did everything he could to move his life forward and showed us exactly what can happen when a young person has the right support and is willing to put in the work. He proved us right for believing in him.”
- AFJ Court Advocate Elsie Flores about Darrian
When asked what catalyzed his success, Darrian credits his triumph to Elsie and the AFJ community. Through consistent check-ins, Elsie anchored him to his goals—keeping him accountable to every crucial appointment, educational workshop, and career-building internship. Darrian is grateful for a relentless safety net, ensuring he never felt alone when facing obstacles. Inspired by the profound dedication AFJ pours into the next generation, Darrian found the strength to match our devotion with his own unwavering effort, laying down a powerful foundation for a bright and hopeful future.
