The CJU works in all five boroughs connecting communities to services that span all three practices at The Legal Aid Society, advocating for clients on crucial pre-arrest and pre-arraignment services as well as re-entry issues that arise in the post-conviction context.Our ongoing initiatives are open to the community, which is why we welcome people to participate through volunteering and other forms of support so we can broaden our advocacy and community reach. If you have an idea, suggestion or thoughts for the CJU, please email us at CJU@legal-aid.org.

S.O.S. Crown Heights on Fox News

Youth Activists from Save Our Streets “Crown Heights” appear on Fox news to discuss how they are playing a leading role in transforming community norms around gun violence. "Your one voice may actually change ten people, instead of one" - Destiny, Youth Organizer. Watch this special feature by Fox 5 about YO S.O.S, JCP, and anti gun violence activism!

CJU was present for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Man Up! Inc. & Good Shepherd Services Prince Joshua Avitto (who lost his life at six years old to a random act of violence) Community Center.

Are You In the NYPD Gang Database?

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES/NY POST

“If we don’t get the names of those four officers we will be here over and over and over and over until there is justice” -Eric Vassell,the father of #SaheedVassell, demanding that Mayor DeBlasio release the names of the officers involved and the unedited video of what happened during the Justice for Saheed rally in Crown Heights on 5/2/18.

S.O.S. Brooklyn Speaks out at Shooting Response

“Gun violence is not something that appears just in bad neighborhoods or in another part of the world. It appears right here, right outside your door.” CJU joined @SOS_Brooklyn at their Shooting Response

Criminal Records Workshop

CJU partnered with Legal Hand in Crown Heights and Melissa Ader, staff attorney from the Employment Law Unit to discuss getting certificates of relief and good conduct and to learn about how they can obtain sealing of convictions.

Criminal Records Workshop

CJU partnered with Susan Chase, staff attorney of the Community Development Project from Legal Aid’s Harlem Office to conduct a training for small and emerging businesses to discuss the fundamentals of getting a business started and ensuring that it succeeds.

Staten Island PRIDE

CJU was present with the Staten Island Criminal Defense Practice and Civil Practice offices to celebrate PRIDE and connect with community members.

Jimmy Alvarado

CJU joined Council Member Carlos Menchaca in supporting the family of Jimmy Alvarado who on 5/21/18 was paralyzed from the neck down by an NYPD officer. Council member Menchaca demanded that NYPD release names and the footage of the nearby businesses which captured the incident and show what happened.

1st Annual Hands Around the Catchment When: Friday, June 1st | 10am-11am | Rain Date: June 4th Where: Various Locations | Call 347-782-2279 for details

Clear Your Record When: Saturday, June 2nd | 8:30am - 3:30pm Where: Central Family LIfe Center | 58 Wright St, Staten Island, NY 10304

NYC Youth Over Guns March When: Saturday, June 2nd | 12pm-5pm Where: Korean War Veterans Plaza REGISTER HERE

The Gun Violence Awareness Month Concert When: Saturday, June 2nd | 1pm Where: The Richard Rodgers Amphitheater | 18 Mt. Morris Park West Rap | RNB | Comedy | Spoken Word

8th Annual Not In My Hood March When: Saturday, June 2nd | 1pm-7pm Where: Is 285 Meyer Levin | 5909 Beverley Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11203 REGISTER

Harlem Day of Peace When: Saturday, June 2nd | 3pm-7pm 139th St. btwn Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. and Malcome X Blvd.   REGISTER

Mass Incarceration Reflections When: Saturday, June 9th | 12pm-3pm Where: East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center | 158 E. 115th st, 1st Fl. Featuring a film screening and a conversation with Mr. Kevin Richardson, plus a presentation on the Gang Database by Anthony Posada. RSVP

Gang Database Hearing When: Monday, June 11th CJU has been working to dismantle the NYPD racist gang database as part of a larger community-based movement. The City Council Public Safety committee will be holding a hearing on this issue on June 11th. There will be a press conference in the morning leading into the hearing.

3rd Annual Safe Summer Celebration aka Slice Day When: Saturday, June 16th | 12pm-7pm Where: 41st Avenue btw. 21st and Vernon This event is an opportunity to showcase the strides the Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Astoria, and Woodside neighborhoods have made in combating generational drawbacks and senseless brutality.