Who we are
Incorporating the voices and lived experiences of New York Cities most underserved neighborhoods.
At our core
Policy by proximity
Justice Ambassadors is a 12-week civic-education and life skills building seminar, bringing together New York government executives and 18-25 year-old youth – many of whom have first hand experience with the criminal legal system and come from New York City’s most under-served neighborhoods.
Our approach is rooted in policy-by-proximity – a model of incorporating the voices and lived experiences of people, especially those who are living through public crises, into policy development conversations with government officials centered around system reform and community change.
-
Members are introduced to critical life skills and topics: social justice, mass incarceration, community organizing, healthy policy and decision-making; long term planning and encouraged to adopt new ways of achieving justice. Members complete a personal statement that identifies an aspect of themselves or their community they wish to change.
-
Members co-organize and host intergovernmental forums, high school workshops and community giveaways. In addition to visiting government offices and community centers to advocate for social justice oriented policy and legislative action that promote skills development programs and supportive services for disadvantaged people.
-
Youth and government executives work collaboratively over 8-weeks to develop co-authored policy solutions that seek to address societal challenges like gun violence, homelessness, mental health and centers youth as ‘lived experience’ experts.
Our Mission
Empowering Youth
The Justice Ambassadors (JA) experience is an innovative educational seminar designed to empower economically disadvantaged, legal-system-impacted, and gang-affiliated youth through leadership development, community capacity building, and policy advocacy.
Hear his story
“What prosecutors and incarcerated people learn from each other?”
Special Projects and Upcoming Events
Stand with us
Help us in our mission to empower youth to directly shape policies and community interventions by supporting young people with holistic opportunities for positive growth and development.
Reach out to us, and together we can make a difference.
Lets stay in touch
Stay up to date about our youth members' success and our involvement in New York City communities.