Take a look at some exciting new initiatives, milestones, and highlights from our teams across the Center this year.
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on some of the ways our teams have built safety and justice for communities in New York, New Jersey, and across the country. In the past year…*
- We’ve provided supportive services at our court- and community-based programs 36,400+ times
- 230+ organizations and jurisdictions received guidance from our national teams
- Our community events saw 42,400+ total attendance
Take a look at some of the achievements we’re proud of from 2025—and that we’re excited to push forward in the year ahead.
1. Community Justice Comes to East New York, Brooklyn
Based on data analysis and community input, we opened a new community hub in East New York where people awaiting trial in NYC’s Supervised Release program can meet their court requirements and access services closer to where they live and work. Powered in part by staff who are from the community themselves, the new location served more than 700 participants in its first six months.
2. Activating Men Against Gender-Based Violence
Building on their years of experience mobilizing communities against gun violence and intimate partner violence, our RISE team gathered with partners and community leaders to celebrate the launch of the Men Rising Initiative. Men Rising offers trainings and workshops for men leading gun violence prevention work in Harlem and the Bronx to learn how they can play a greater role in addressing gender-based violence.
3. New Artworks Bring Hope to the Courtroom
In collaboration with Artistic Noise, we invited three artists who have been impacted by the justice system to create original art for the courtroom walls at our Midtown Community Justice Center. The display of six new artworks stands as a symbol of hope and creates a more welcoming, supportive environment for those coming into court.
4. NYCHA Residents Take Charge of Community Investments
Our Neighborhood Safety Initiatives team engaged more than 5,500 NYCHA residents from across the city to vote on their priorities for investments into their developments, totaling $550,000. In another participatory budgeting project that came to fruition this year, residents of the Castle Hill Houses in the Bronx cast their votes to build the first-ever dog park on a NYCHA campus.
5. Restorative Justice Comes to Broadway
A remarkable true story of restorative justice came to Broadway this year in the form of the hit play “Punch.” Our restorative justice team partnered with Manhattan Theatre Club to host discussions with the audience after performances. On our New Thinking podcast, you can hear from the real people whose incredible story inspired the play.
6. Incarcerated Readers Cast Their Votes for 2025 Inside Literary Prize
Alongside Freedom Reads, the National Book Foundation, and bookstore owner Lori Feathers, we supported the second annual Inside Literary Prize. The Inside Literary Prize is the first major US book award judged exclusively by incarcerated readers. This year, 300 incarcerated judges across 15 facilities awarded the prize to “Chain-Gang All-Stars” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah.
7. Our First-Ever Innovation Fund
Our newly launched Innovation Fund invites our staff working directly with communities to pitch their own ideas for new initiatives. This year, we provided seed funding of $25,000 and $225,000 for two new ideas from our staff. The first is a virtual reality therapy program for young people struggling with trauma. The second builds on our eviction prevention work in Newark by providing relief for tenants facing poor housing conditions.
8. New Avenues for Reform in Municipal Courts
Thousands of people come into contact with municipal courts each year, but these local courts are often overlooked by reformers. Our recent webinar series examined the history, challenges, and unique potential of municipal courts as sites for community-driven change. We also hosted a convening of experts from around the country to explore how these courts can break cycles of harm and keep people out of the legal system.
9. Services on the Go in the Bronx
Our Bronx Community Solutions team unveiled their new mobile outreach van this year with support from State Senator Gustavo Rivera. Staffed by peer mentors, this first-of-its-kind model meets people where they’re at with harm reduction kits and other life-saving resources.
10. Empowering Residents with Knowledge
This year, we hosted a range of community trainings to help residents understand their rights and access important information. Our Newark team held a panel discussion for undocumented neighbors to feel supported and informed about available resources. Our Community Justice Connect team also hosted trainings and information sessions to support people with needs around housing, benefits, and more.
*All data pertain to Fiscal Year 2025.