Bronx Community Solutions and Brooklyn Treatment Court Square Off

Postgame photo: Coach Leroy-West Spicer and the Renaissance are on the left, while Coach Willie Bernardez
and the Bombers are on the right.

From Case Manager Daren Mills

On Tuesday, January 26th, two problem solving court projects came together as part of the Bronx Community Solutions Basketball League, with the Bombers of Bronx Community Solutions taking on the Renaissance of Brooklyn Treatment Court.

The Bombers jumped out to an early 13-0 lead before coach Leroy West-Spicer (Case Manager at Brooklyn Treatment Court) refocused his Renaissance team. However, the Bombers continued to push the tempo of the game and ended the first half leading 31-11.

In the second half, Bombers coach Willie Bernardez (Resource Coordinator at Bronx Community Solutions) called for a slower pace and more teamwork, and the Bombers delivered. A combination of great passing, quality shooting, and a few dunks propelled the Bombers to an even larger lead. The Renaissance would not quit, and excellent play from their point guard kept them from falling behind even further.

The Bombers cruised to victory by the score of 53 - 29. As a show of good sportsmanship, both teams came together for a photo (above) after the game. The teams will meet next in the playoffs, in what should be another compelling game.

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2009 - Year in Review

From Coordinator of Court Operations Elizabeth Swan

As we enter the project's 5th year, it's safe to say that Bronx Community Solutions has made an undeniable impact within and beyond the walls of the Bronx Criminal Courthouse. Some of the many achievements that have been made since the project's inception include how Bronx Community Solutions has changed sentencing practices by:

• Reducing the use of jail at arraignments by a third.


• Increasing the sentencing options that are offered to judges.


• Improving alternative sanction compliance to 70%.


• Improving community engagement by annually providing approximately 70,000 hours of community service.

Specifically, 2009 saw Bronx Community Solutions utilize an array of new resources, partners, and ideas that helped to solidify and expand the project's influence. Some highlights include:

• Increasing Sentencing Options and Resources through Specialized Initiatives:
  Bronx Community Solutions has developed areas of expertise for 3 specialized populations: Mental Health, Prostitution, and Driving while Intoxicated/Driving under the Influence (DWI/DUI).


• The Mental Health Initiative is the newest and most aggressive focus. In February of 2009, a mental health screening instrument was added to the regular intake assessment. This brief screening process is the only court-wide tool focused on flagging a large volume of post sentenced misdemeanant offenders for intervention services. Interventions consist of a mental health group (added to the social service package in June of 2009) and/or an individual counseling session with a Mental Health Case Manager. Since its inception, 965 offenders have been flagged and 95 offenders received a mental health referral. Bronx Community Solutions was awarded a grant from the United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance in order to expand our existing mental health initiative in 2010.


• The Prostitution Initiative, which continues to build on a collaborative foundation with both court and community partners. 2009 saw a refocus of energy and resources in reestablishing community precinct partnerships, expanding alternative services, increasing street outreach, and utilizing research as a means to develop better sentencing practices. Bronx Community Solutions was responsible for coordinating more than 40 longer term diversion mandates. Numbers for shorter term mandates (in-house social service groups and individual counseling sessions) also increased. Research showed that 52% of Bronx Community Solutions' disposed prostitution cases received a social service disposition. Using the above numbers as a springboard, Bronx Community Solutions launched its first in-house gender specific social service group in November of 2009: Women's Education and Awareness.


• The Driving while Intoxicated/Driving under the Influence (DWI/DUI) Initiative began in 2008 and has flourished in 2009 due in large part to new project protocols, streamlined procedures and tracking measures. Bronx Community Solutions works with the courts to coordinate all substance abuse screenings and/or assessments of DWI/DUI offenders. In 2009, Bronx Community Solutions coordinated 1100 screenings/assessments by OASAS-licensed outside providers. Of the 1100 offenders who were screened/assessed, 120 were mandated to complete alcohol treatment for a period ranging from 12 to 26 weeks.
  

Expansion of Court Services:

Bronx Community Solutions has sustained its strong reputation of providing judges with increased sentencing options. In direct response to continued court requests for agency representatives, Bronx Community Solutions devised three expansion goals:

1. Expand court-wide presence and availability.


2. Increase short-term community based dispositions, and


3. Increase longer term mandates.

After two months of planning and observation, Bronx Community Solutions’ court coverage increased to include four additional court parts. Currently, the department is focused on developing specialized court part packages, on-call guidelines, court operations guidelines, and a new package mandate geared towards youth.

Expansion of Social Service Partners and Resources:

In 2009, Bronx Community Solutions expanded its social service network through various outreach methods and new initiatives. With the inception of the Mental Health Initiative, mental health referral providers now include: out-patient MICA programs, including Albert Einstein/Melrose Center, Mid-Bronx Family Preservation Center, psychiatric services at Bronx Lebanon's Wellness Clinic, and a link to Medicaid offices at Bronx Lebanon's Wellness Clinic.

Substance abuse treatment partners (both outpatient and detox/rehabilitation), expanded to include Cornerstone Continuous Care, The P.A.C. Program, The Williams Center and Vertex.

Currently, 5 of the 14 social service classes taught weekly are co-facilitated by representatives of agencies such as Narco Freedom, Bronx Community Center, Anger Management, Arms Acres, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Care for the Homeless. Representatives of these agencies are able to make immediate voluntary referrals to their programs for services such as drug treatment, job training, and assistance with public-benefit related information - often starting the intake process immediately.

Increased Community Presence:

In 2009, Bronx Community Solutions continued to create strategic community engagement events in an ongoing effort to improve court and community relations. Some highlights include:

• Spring 2009 – The Youth Empowerment Forum (YEP): This program was created in order to address the negative interactions between young people and police officers, that often stem from low-level offenses in the Bronx. As part of this program, Bronx Community Solutions hosted a group of interns from local high schools who learned research and interviewing skills and conducted several roundtable focus groups with criminal justice personnel and local youth. In June of 2009, Bronx Community Solutions hosted a Youth Empowerment Forum event for Bronx Week. During the event, Youth Empowerment Forum participants shared their research findings and presented their recommendations to a panel of criminal justice experts.


• May 2009 – Law Day: Bronx Community Solutions hosted an event on the consequences of drunk driving and the importance of healthy decision making. Co-sponsored by Joe McCormack (Bureau Chief of the Bronx County District Attorney’s Vehicular Crimes Unit), 150 students participated in an interactive “think before you drive” exercise. As a result of this collaboration, Bronx Community Solutions’ staff was special guest of Joe McCormack at the press conference for the official implementation of Leandra’s Law (which makes it a felony to drive drunk with a minor in the vehicle). During the press conference, Joe McCormack publicly thanked Bronx Community Solutions for our partnership and work with DWI/DUI cases.


• August 2009 – National Night Out Against Crime: Bronx Community Solutions hosted 43rd, 44th, and 48th police precincts from the Bronx, and provided street and graffiti cleanup.


• Fall 2009 to Present – Prostitution Outreach: In collaboration with various police precincts, voluntary street outreach was conducted by Bronx Community Solutions staff and partner agencies.


• Quarterly - Community Advisory Board Meetings: Composed of 25 community leaders and attended by Bronx Community Solutions staff, these meetings are designed to address the gap between the courts and the community.
  

Cleaning up the Bronx – Community Service:

In 2009, Bronx Community Solutions' community service department expanded its collaborations to target specific areas in order to help promote long-term change. Bronx Community Solutions continues to be a viable asset to the Bronx, receiving 2 public recognitions this year, from Southeast Bronx Neighborhoods Centers (SEBNC) and the 44th police precinct's Community Council. Some of the project’s highlights include:

Community Impact Zones: With assistance from the 41st and 43rd police precincts, Community Impact Zones were created to target specific areas with monthly follow-up assistance.

The Bronx Community Solutions Graffiti Program: Bronx Community Solutions continued its partnership with the Bronx District Attorney's Office and 8 out of the 12 Bronx police precincts to identify graffiti hot spots and ensure that graffiti offenders were sentenced to the Bronx Community Solutions Graffiti Program.

Clean-up efforts at the HUB: A business improvement district located in the Mott Haven Section, Bronx Community Solutions - working in conjunction with the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (SOBRO) - makes regular visits to the HUB for beautification efforts.

161st Street Business Improvement District: Working in collaboration with the Executive Director of the Business Improvement District, Bronx Community Solutions provides cleaning assistance at the 161st street corridor and the northwestern part of River Avenue.

Step Streets: At the request of State Assembly member Vanessa Gibson, Bronx Community Solutions added three additional step street cleanups to our community service agenda.

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Misdemeanants Who Can't Afford Bail Have Few Options

In a recent article that appeared on npr.org, the plight of low-level offenders who can't afford bail was given an in-depth look. Also examined was the amount of money the taxpayers spend to house these offenders. From arrest, to incarceration at Rikers Island (pictured above), to their eventual trial/release, life for these individuals often becomes a nightmare.

For offenders who believe they're innocent (such as 25 year old Shadu Green, who is profiled in the article at npr.com), their refusal to plead guilty and secure their release is sometimes due to the fact that another conviction on their record would make their job prospects almost non-existent. Their decision to fight the case and their inability to afford bail sometimes keeps them stuck behind bars for months.

Check out the full article at npr.com...

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A Record 1,186 Guns Surrendered to Bronx Buyback Program

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly grips one of the turned in firearms

As reported in today's Daily News, 1,186 firearms (handguns, semi-aoutomatics and sawed-off shotguns) were turned in by Bronx residents at four borough churches last weekend. For each gun that was turned in, a $200 prepaid bank card was given out. Funding for the program was provided by the Bronx Borough President's office, the Bronx District Attorney's office, and the NYPD.

The gun buyback program, which was launched citywide in 2008, allows residents to exchange their guns with no questions asked. According to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, the guns will all be melted down and converted into coat hangers. Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson was extremely pleased with the residents who turned their guns over, stating that he was "heartened by the fact that the citizens understand that the worth of the weapon may be greater than what they receive...but the value in lives saved certainly outweighs that and [they] saw fit to bring them in."

Read more in the Daily News...

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First Community Advisory Board Meeting of the Year

From TK Singleton, Community Initiatives Coordinator

On Wednesday evening, January 20th, Bronx Community Solutions held its first quarterly Community Advisory meeting of the year. There were quite a few members in attendance. Our municipal community partners were on hand (Bronx District Attorney's office, Bronx Borough Presidents office, 161st street Business Improvement District, Parks Department and FDNY), along with our community partners Promesa and Cornerstone Continuous Care. A number of community members were also at the meeting, including Loretta Masterson, Sidney Flores, and SEBNC (SouthEast Bronx Economic Centers).

We started off the meeting by asking if there were any programs/projects that members would like Bronx Community Solutions to become partners with, and several responded. SEBNC would like us to assist with their in-house services for youth. FEGS would like us to provide support for a new RFP Program (out-of-school youth services for ages 16-21) and community patrol officer Sydney Flores would like us to continue assisting with community service projects.

Many of the partners were excited to see the pictures from our Community Impact Step Street Initiative project. Cary Goodman, the executive director of the 161st Street BID was so impressed, that he offered to use some of his empty store fronts on the corner of the Grand Concourse to showcase our pictures as exhibits.

CAB members agreed this would be a good way to show the community all the good work the courts are doing.

Lastly, Michael Patterson, one of our Americorps interns, spoke about the Bronx Community Solutions Basketball league and the experiences of the league members. He went into detail about the impact community service has had on himself and the team members. He also commented on the change of perception of the participants towards law enforcement, noting that "seeing officers in another light" was what he heard from other peers in the league.

Our next CAB meeting will be on April 21st, at the School of Law, Government and Justice.

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MLK Day in Harlem

From Damon Dobbs, Youth Development Coordinator:
Harlem Community Justice Center

On January 18th, 2010, the Harlem Community Justice Center's Harlem Youth Court and Americorps staff enjoyed their 3rd annual day of community service at PS 57 James Weldon Johnson, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr Day.

The event was sponsored by Citi Foundation, and celerbrated thier Eighth Annual "Grow Involved on Martin Luther King Jr. Day," a hands-on youth & family volunteer event organized by Children for Children and the Children's Action Board. Youth and staff participated in several activies throughout the day.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day

From case manager Daren Mills

Martin Luther King Jr. believed that "everybody can be great, because anybody can serve."

On January 18th, City Year New York invited Bronx Community Solutions to celebrate the life of Dr. King through inspirational service. The mission of City Year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service , is to partner with NYC Service by uniting the communities of the Bronx for a day of transformational service in an effort to help break down the barriers and social injustices around us.

The members of the Bronx Community Solutions Bombers basketball team were hands on while completing a number of projects. Case Manager Daren Mills and Bombers Michael Patterson and Bobby Harris started the day working with Diahann Billings-Burford, Chief Service Officer of the City of New York and the staff and corps members of NYC Service, by painting murals in the Hunts Point Middle School MS 424. Once that project was complete, the team moved on to the Hunts Point Recreation Center where they built planter boxes that will be used for the Center's environmental after-school program.

The Bombers ended their day at Wildcat High School, where they worked with middle school students to package food that will be sent to the Food Bank For New York City's warehouse in the Hunt's Point Terminal Market. After the food arrives at the market, it will be distributed to various food pantries throughout the New York City area.

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2010 Resolutions

With 2010 in full swing, the Daily News profiled a host of high profile Bronx Borough figures to see what their resolutions were. Among those asked was Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who vowed to rid the borough of illegal guns.

To see what the rest had to say, check out the full article from the Daily News.

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A New Approach to Prostitution Offenses in Dallas

Much like in the Bronx, where offenders who are arrested for prostitution are often offered entry into potentially life-changing programs such as GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services) in lieu of incarceration, the police in Dallas are now aiming to offer the same types of alternatives - going as far as to treat each prostitute as a sex-crime victim.

In a report that appeared yesterday in the New York Times, this new initiative is profiled at length. The program that the initiative utilizes, Homeward Bound, is police-led. Once the offenders reach the courtroom (after they're screened by the police and social service agencies), they're given the option to enter Homeward Bound, provided they don't have any outstanding felony warrants. From there, the chance to change is up to them.

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First Few New Yorkers Charged Under Leandra's Law

Lenny Rosado (with a picture of his daugther Leandra) and Gov. Paterson

After Leandra's Law (making it a felony to drive drunk with a child in the car) went into effect last Friday, two New Yorkers were caught breaking that law in the days after and have become the first two New Yorker's charged under the new law.

As reported in the Daily News, on Saturday, Timothy McEachem of Albany was arrested after driving drunk with two children in the car. The following day, Reanna Reidpath of Albany was placed in jail after being pulled over with her 9 year old daugther in the car - her blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit.

While it's appalling that these two New Yorkers would break this law so soon after it went into effect, it isn't surprising. Their actions are despicable, but some solace can be taken given the fact that they are both in jail waiting to be arraigned on felony charges.

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Leandra's Law

Lenny Rosado speaks on Tuesday while DA Charles Hynes looks on

"Leandra's Law," which makes it a felony to drive drunk in the State of New York with a child in the car, will go into effect tomorrow. This past Tuesday at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, Lenny Rosado (the father of the little girl the law was named after) and other lawmakers and officials from New York held a press conference to mark the occasion. As the Coordinator of DWI Operations here at Bronx Community Solutions, I attended the press conference and was moved by both the courage of Mr. Rosado and the forcefulness that was displayed by the state officials.

The new law was sought after by Mr. Rosado, after his 11 year old daughter Leandra was killed in a horrific drunken driving accident this October. Leandra was in a station wagon with six other girls on her way to a slumber party, while the driver Carmen Huertas (whose own daughter was also in the car) sped along the highway and taunted the children about the possibility of crashing. They eventually did crash. Several of the children were seriously injured, but only Leandra lost her life.

In what Mr. Rosado described as a tribute to his little girl, the new law will go into effect tomorrow. The most publicized aspect of the law is the fact that it will be a felony to drive drunk with a child in the car. In addition, all convicted DWI offenders will now be mandated to install ignition interlocks in their cars. These interlocks will require the driver to pass a breathalyzer test in order for the car to start. The hope is that the people of the City will simply make the right decisions - and not get behind the wheel if they're under the influence. In the event that they do get behind the wheel, they're likely to pay for it with their freedom.

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Update: The Bronx Community Solutions Basketball League

Led by Case Manager Daren Mills and Resource
Coord. Willie Bernardez, The 4th Season of the Bronx Community Solutions Basketball League kicked off this week with the team from the 41st Precinct taking on officers from Patrol Borough Bronx (PBBX) in the first game. In the second game, Brooklyn Treatment Court battled against Promesa, Inc.

In the first game, Officer Feliciano's 15 points helped the 41st precicnt defeat the officers from Patrol Borough Bronx 43-35. In the second game, the Brooklyn Treatment Court Renaissance defeated the team from Promesa Youth 36-19. The Renaissance were riding a wave of support as they were cheered on by Judge Jo Ann Ferdinand (pictured above with Case Manager Leroy West-Spicer and the Renaissance), who came up to the Bronx to enjoy the game and see the league in action.

Many thanks to everyone who continues to support the league...

Stay tuned for more updates...

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Recent Sex Trafficking Case Comes to the Forefront of the Judicial System

From Coord. of Court Ops. Elizabeth Swan





On December 4th, a historic victory was won in the battle against human sex trafficking. After a 2 week trial, New York State, under the 2007 sex trafficking statute, convicted 32 year old David Brown of Queens on charges of second-degree kidnapping, sex trafficking, third-degree promotion of prostitution, first degree unlawful imprisonment, and third-degree assault. The verdict was brought down by Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise, and Mr. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on January 25th. He faces up to 25 years in prison.

Bronx Community Solutions was very pleased to hear about these precedent setting implications. Bronx Community Solutions is very sensitive to the signs of sex trafficking, but we have not yet identified any cases through our comprehensive screening process. The population that we often deal with tends to yield individuals who were raised in and are currently living in the Bronx. Although we have yet to identify any of our own cases as such, we're well aware that sex trafficking is a common thing in and around the Bronx.

Overall, Bronx Community Solutions has continued to strengthen our efforts as far as working with prostitution arrests are concerned. Since 2007, Bronx Community Solutions’ Prostitution Initiative has helped to make a significant impact by enhancing the court's resources and by offering Judges meaningful prostitution sentencing alternatives in place of short term jail sentences. Prior to the involvement of Bronx Community Solutions, 44 percent of prostitution offenders were sentenced to short term jail with no form of meaningful engagement of services. With our involvement, it's a number we hope will decrease. We continue to actively engage offenders arrested for prostitution through a four pronged collaborative approach: Street Outreach with the 41st, 47th, 48th and 52nd precincts, Expanded Social Service Programs, Court Screening and Judicial Monitoring.

Additionally, Bronx Community Solutions is focused on data analysis to help identify areas of need in order to expand our outreach and services in 2010. Between 2007 and 2008, we looked at the total number of prostitution arrests in the Bronx and disposition comparisons. One major thing we identified was the need for an in-house Bronx Community Solutions prostitution program. The research showed that 52% of Bronx Community Solutions' prostitution sentences were social service mandates. This percentage reinforces the need for Bronx Community Solutions to house a specific social service track designed for prostitution offenders. As a first step toward that eventual goal, Bronx Community Solutions recently launched its first gender specific social service class: Women’s Education and Awareness. This group is designed to challenge women of all ages to explore their assumptions regarding their role in society, through critical thinking activities and group discussion.

Bronx Community Solutions continues to work in collaboration with our partners to do our part in addressing the issue of prostitution. We are looking forward to new challenges in 2010, and continue to appreciate the tireless efforts of our program partners such as the Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS ) and the Midtown Community Court.

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Bronx Neighborhood News

With the Holidays coming, Cary Goodman (the Executive Director of the Bronx BID) has provided a heads up on some events/happenings that are taking place around the neighborhood. They include:

• The Holiday party for children, which will take place on December 20th at Gehrig Plaza. The Plaza, which runs from Morris to River avenues, will be adorned with Holiday Snowflakes.
• More than 5,000 trees have been added to the neighborhood by the Parks Department. In addition, a Skate Plaza and the River Avenue playground are currently under construction. Both the Skate Plaza and River Avenue playground are scheduled to open next Spring.
• Local artists and designers are holding an art sale today, December 11th, in the lobby of 811 Walton Avenue.
• Concourse Plaza has just completed a major upgrade of their security system. In addition, The Caridad Restaurant in the food court at Concourse Plaza has re-opened under new management.
• The demolition of Yankee Stadium is continuing on pace. With the outer walls currently being removed in sections, temporary sidewalk closings are expected along River Avenue.
• Two more solar powered trash compactors have been provided to the district by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.

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The Scrimmages Are Over - It's Time For Tip-Off

With the fourth season of the Bronx Community Solutions Basketball League set to tip off tomorrow night (December 8th) at 7:30 at the Bronxdale Community Center, the staff members here at Bronx Community Solutions have been actively seeking team members. One of the members is profiled after the jump...

From Case Manager Daren Mills

"I haven't been doin' anything with myself and I'm tired of it." That statement was made by Keith, one of the men who will make up the Bronx Community Solutions Bombers this season. On Tuesday, November 24th, Keith, along with nine other offenders who completed mandates through Bronx Community Solutions, met one another for the first time for introductions and to hear what each individual was hoping to get out of the program.

All of this season's team members were excited for the competition, and were looking forward to the chance to improve themselves. Keith, 20, first spoke to me after a social service group that he was mandated to. The idea of playing on a basketball team against teams of law enforcement officers caught his attention. After I explained that the league was about more than just basketball, his interest increased. Keith did not finish high school, nor has he made any progress toward getting his GED. He is fully aware that one reason for his arrest was his free time. He viewed his Bronx Community Solutions sentence and meeting with me as a chance to get back on track and make something of himself.

Although basketball is front and center, there is more at stake for Keith and the other Bronx Community Solutions Bombers. This is their chance to further their educational and career prospects, to stay out of the criminal justice system, and to become positive and productive role models for the people in their lives.

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Staten Island Youth Court's 2nd Graduation

Below is an excerpt from Melissa Gelber, the Project Director of Project Ready:

On December 1st, the Staten Island Youth Court held it's second graduation and induction ceremony. The Youth Court inducted eleven young people and graduated twenty-four!

The Staten Island Youth Court's achievements have steadily increased since it began hearing cases in February 2009. Initially, the Youth Court only heard cases one night a week., then they added a second hearing night. To date, the Court has heard 122 cases from probation, criminal court and YD cards from the NYPD. Compliance with sanctions is at 89%.

The impact that Youth Court has on the lives of the young people who go through as respondents and for the members who sit on the court is almost immeasurable. Many challenge themselves to attempt things that they have never done before, interacting with individuals that they might not have spoken to without Youth Court. The growth of the members during the training and the time on the Court is really awe-inspiring.

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Expanding Our Services: The Women's Education and Awareness Group

From Resource Coordinator Carrie Potts

The past few weeks here at Bronx Community Solutions have been very exciting, as we launched our first gender-specific social service class: Women’s Education and Awareness. After discussions with our researcher at the Center for Court Innovation, it became clear that we had a large number of women being sentenced to alternatives, and that a class directed towards women’s issues was needed. After much planning and preparation, the class began last week with a rousing discussion about what it means be a female in this society, in the Bronx, and within the criminal justice system. The group was co-led by 3 facilitators.

As we began, the women seemed to expect an hour or so of passive listening and minimal participation requirements. However, as we started to throw out questions such as “what is a stereotype” and “what are gender roles," the passive listening turned into active listening, and the participation increased with each passing moment. As facilitators, we guided the discussion by introducing different topics, and the women reacted strongly and each added something to the discussion.

We focused on the word “perception” and defined it as how we view the world based upon our own experiences. We then asked the women to identify what it meant to them to be a female and a male within our society. This provided us with a fascinating view not only into how the women perceived themselves, but what they understood their role as women to be. In addition, it exposed their understanding of the role of men in their own lives as well as the population in general. As the facilitator in charge of writing down their answers on the board up front, I can attest to the enthusiasm with which the women responded: I could barely keep up.

The responses from the women ran the gamut, and quickly filled the board. We then asked them to identify within the list they created, which roles were seen as positive/strong and which were negative/weak. This created much debate, since they found that many of their answers were multi-dimensional, and depended on the context.

We also asked the women to write down their own experiences with power within four situations:

1. When they had power over someone else
2. When someone else had power over them
3. When they were a good friend
4. When someone was a good friend to them
   

We asked the women who felt comfortable to share their answers. As they did, a remarkable thing happened: they realized they were able to relate to each other more than they ever thought they could. With the first exercise, we as facilitators had to keep reminding people to listen to each other because they were so excited to state their own responses/opinions that they started talking over each other. In this exercise, there were nods of agreement, laughter as a similar experience was described, and empathy when a frustration or embarrassment was generally understood.

The physical look of the group changed as well. When the class began, the women were spread out between 3-4 benches with at least 1-2 feet between them. After the group exercises, they occupied only 2 benches and they were sitting right next to each other—close enough to touch, which they did with pats on the back as they laughed or empathized with each other.

As the class came to a close, we wanted each woman to walk out with something tangible or something in her mind that would continue to impact her. This could be an idea that was discussed that she wanted to explore further, a connection to a service, or a connection to our office. These services were made available immediately following the group, since we have social workers and case managers on staff. As we asked for their feedback both in person and in a survey, it became clear that many of the women who participated in the class had services they were interested in. Our hope is that as we move forward with this group, we will be able to identify some of the key needs of this population in order to address them directly and quickly.

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Local Everyday Heroes

As the season of giving and good will begins, we would like to send a big thank you to a host of our favorite court officers from the Bronx Criminal Courthouse.

Every year, these officers donate their time to the residents of the borough. This year, they delivered frozen turkeys and other food/drinks to a local chruch in the Bronx.

Read more about the officers and the overwhelming need to fight hunger in the City in today's article in the Daily News.

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NYC Community Cleanup

NYC Community Cleanup is a new citywide initiative designed to address neighborhood hot spots and eyesores. This initiative puts low-level offenders to work repairing conditions of disorder throughout New York City. The goal is to create meaningful community service work projects that emphasize the values of immediacy, visibility, and accountability.

Much like some of our community service projects in the Bronx, this great initiative attempts to bring concrete solutions to neighborhoods affected by vandalism, graffitti and dumping.

Click here to check out NYC Community Cleanup's website...

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News From The Classroom - An Update on Services for Our Spanish Speaking Clients

From Crew Supervisor Ramon Semorile

Since my last update on the enhancement of the Spanish-speaking Orientation group (where offenders have been learning about health related issues such as HIV/AIDS), I’ve been thinking of ways to introduce even more relevant topics to the group. As part of that effort, I reached out to Arms Acres, which is one of our partner agencies. A substance abuse program run by Liberty Behavioral Management, Arms Acres struck me as the type of organization that could help to add another dimension to our class setting.

After getting in touch with Arms Acres, I spoke with Francisco Guillen, who is one of their Spanish speaking counselors. After discussing the class and some of Bronx Community Solutions’ ideas with Mr. Guillen, he agreed to come to Bronx Community Solutions and give a presentation to the Spanish-speaking Orientation group.

As the class was going on, I noticed how attentive and engaged the offenders were. Tons of the participants were asking questions, and one of the offenders went to the Bronx Community Solutions social service clinic upon completion of the class for a referral to an outpatient drug treatment program. When the class ended, I thanked Mr. Guillen and noted that since the class had gone so well, he was more than welcome to return whenever his schedule allowed. After our discussion, Mr. Guillen agreed to co-facilitate the Spanish-speaking Orientation group with Bronx Community Solutions once per month.

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