Seven Weeks of Prevention, Perspective, and Possibility

This summer, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) proudly hosted the second cohort of our Gun Violence Prevention Initiative (GVPI). Held at our flagship Lower East Side Community Center, this seven-week, fourteen-session workshop provided a transformative space for youth impacted by gun violence in the community.

The initiative was made possible through the support of the District Attorney of New York (DANY), which awarded $300,000 this year to ten community-based organizations dedicated to summer youth violence prevention. Now in its landmark fifth summer, DANY’s initiative has empowered more than 560 young people across Manhattan since 2022. To honor their dedication and time, every Participant who successfully completed AFJ's program was awarded a financial stipend.

AFJ’s specialized curriculum integrates music, storytelling, and cognitive behavioral exercises. Through these creative and therapeutic outlets, participants reflected deeply on their personal experiences, cultivated constructive responses to adversity, and concluded the summer by forging meaningful commitments to their futures.

Two Facilitators, One Goal

Led by GVPI Facilitator Toddrick and AFJ Court Advocate Messiah—both of whom bring lived experience within the justice system—the workshop was anchored in transformative purpose: to untangle the complex ecosystem of gun violence. Together, they designed a curriculum that examines both the systemic conditions that foster violence and the immediate factors that weigh on a young person's choices in a split second.

Toddrick’s guidance focused on self-awareness and agency, challenging Participants to critically examine how their environments shape their decisions. He urged them to look past immediate pressures, map out alternative paths, and claim the power of their own voices even when the current against them runs strong. Messiah’s contribution was one of horizon-expanding vision. Recognizing that a young person’s world can easily shrink to the confines of a few city blocks, he sought to dismantle those invisible boundaries. In doing so, he captured the very essence of GVPI and AFJ’s shared mission: to broaden the horizons of young people, offering them a glimpse of a world far larger, and far more promising, than the one they currently see.

"I feel like programs like this should be offered as an alternative to incarceration, because prison is structured to make better prisoners as opposed to better people. ATI programs support youth by helping them articulate their trauma and understand the where, why, and how to deal with it."

— GVPI Facilitator, Toddrick

‍Inside the Room

Every session centered on open dialogue, exploring external influences, personal choices, real-world navigation, and the Participants' visions for community reform. A pivotal moment occurred in week five when the cohort welcomed Ms. Barron, Messiah’s mother, who shared her profound perspective as a family member impacted by gun violence. Her testimony deeply moved AFJ Participants, prompting them to reflect on their own loved ones and the far-reaching consequences of a single decision.

Throughout these discussions, a resonant theme emerged: the critical need for constructive outlets outside of their immediate neighborhoods. Participant Rasheed highlighted this necessity, noting, "I wish there were more activities for the younger guys to do. Anything from basketball to art, just to give them outlets." Fellow Participant Carlique underscored that programs like Avenues for Justice are precisely what young people require to envision possibilities beyond their local neighborhoods. Providing that expansive vision and vital engagement is the exact mission driving AFJ’s HIRE Up programming.

"My favorite part of GVPI is being in a safe space to talk about how you're feeling, things that you went through in life, and how you can evolve from them."

— AFJ Participant, Josh

Featured in last week's newsletter, Darrian was an inaugural AFJ Participant in the GVPI cohort at our Harlem Community Center. He reflected on the sessions as a dedicated, safe space to unpack his thoughts and ultimately leave carrying far less stress than he brought in.

‍Showcasing Success: The Power of Prevention

On August 27th, the District Attorney of New York hosted all ten grant recipients at Lincoln Center for "The Power of Prevention: Community is Safety." The gathering celebrated a summer of impactful work alongside fellow grantees: Goddard Riverside/Positive Influence, GOSO, Harlem School of the Arts, Harlem Mothers and Fathers S.A.V.E., Living Redemption, Muslim Community Network, Not Another Child, SCAN-Harbor, and Wheelchairs Against Guns. District Attorney Bragg credited vital collaborations with community organizations like these for driving Manhattan shootings down 60% during his tenure.

While some groups presented their achievements through slideshows, podcasts, or videos, our cohort chose to write and perform an original skit. The opening scene traced how a sequence of minor decisions could escalate into a shooting. The second scene reimagined that exact same starting point but demonstrated how different choices at critical junctures could entirely avert gun violence—effectively making critical thinking and problem-solving visible on stage. The audience responded with incredible warmth, transforming our cohort's initial nerves into absolute confidence.

‍"Our gun violence program is very unique. It creates a space where Participants can form bonds with other young adults in similar situations and grow together. It's critically important to learn from one another that way."

— AFJ Court Advocate, Aaliyah