Partners in Politics: Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner

Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner with Bronx Community Solutions' staff

Today we had the pleasure of hosting Bronx Assembly Woman Latoya Joyner.  Assemblywoman Joyner represents the 77th District, which includes the Claremont, Concourse, Highbridge, Mount Eden and Morris Heights sections of the Bronx and happens to be our neighbor with an office just blocks away from the courthouse.  During her three years in office, she has fought for tenants rights, increased access to education and more bilingual services in the courts.  A Bronx native and former court attorney, Assemblywoman Joyner has been instrumental in pushing for New York state to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18.  As she stated in a recent press release:

I am happy to join my colleagues in raising the age, as we must ensure that youthful transgressions do not lead to the lifelong stigma of a permanent criminal record. All New Yorkers must be given the opportunity for a second chance and the first step is to guarantee that future generations do not end up in the tangled web of our criminal justice system.  

Assembly Member Joyner and her Office Manager Michael Giardina met with Bronx Community Solutions staff who introduced our services and office space.  They then had the opportunity to meet with Judge Grasso, Bronx Criminal Court's Chief Administrative Judge who also presides over AP10, the court part that oversees criminal cases from 16 and 17 year-olds.  Assemblywoman Joyner thanked Judge Grasso for his work and expressed her support and interest in creating similar interventions for young people outside of the criminal justice system.

Bronx Community Solutions is grateful for political leaders and allies like Assemblywoman Joyner and we look forward to partnering and joining forces in Changing the Courts.

Assemblywoman Joyner and BCS Project Director, Maria Almonte-Weston, meet with Judge Grasso,
Chief Administrative Judge