In the world's most carceral state (the US), what is often overlooked is the human cost of locking away people for their crimes, big and small.
The most failed group behind bars is our country's youth.
At Avenues for Justice, we expose the injustice of locking up youth and highlight the human potential that can be captured by providing a second chance to a young person that is caught up in the justice system.
Angel has been doing this work for over 40 years and was one of the first to actively try to solve the problem with Avenues for Justice.
Launched in 1979, Avenues for Justice (then known as the Andrew Glover Youth Program) was one of the first alternatives to incarceration (ATI) programs for youth in the US and remains one of the few to have continuous Latinx leadership.
Avenues for Justice was instrumental in fighting for youth to be separated from adults in the justice system. Through our 40+years, we have maintained among the highest success rates in the country - 95% of our participants do not commit a crime during a post-graduation three-year tracking period.
Avenues for Justice currently serves 300+ ATI court-involved, at-risk, and re-entry youth and young adults per year at our centers in Harlem and the Lower East Side, and at our Manhattan Criminal Courthouse offices.
For over four decades, Angel Rodriguez has served as AFJ's Executive Director, working with youth in the community in which he grew up, went to school, and still lives today.
Part youth worker, part organizational leader, Angel has direct and daily involvement with clients, supervising the most sensitive advocacy procedures and carrying a heavy caseload. A known and respected figure both in the courtroom and on the streets of the Lower East Side, Angel's work continues around the clock as he moves through the neighborhood.
Under Angel's leadership, AFJ has been the recipient of many awards including the New York State Bar Association's Public Service Award, Manufacturers Hanover'sCommunity Development Award, and the Exxon Corporation Community Service Award.
For his personal dedication to AFJ, Angel received an honorary law degree from the CUNY Law School atQueens College and in 1994, Angel was selected as one of three outstanding community activists inNew York City to receive the Robin Hood Foundation's Hero Award in 1996.
Organization: Avenues for Justice
Website: avenuesforjustice.org
Facebook: facebook.com/avenuesforjustice
Instagram: instagram.com/avenuesforjustice
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avenuesforjustice/
Organization: Avenues for Justice
Website: avenuesforjustice.org
Facebook: facebook.com/avenuesforjustice
Instagram: instagram.com/avenuesforjustice
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avenuesforjustice/
Tune in for this sensible conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.
