Relationship-First Intervention

Organizes an annual community celebration event, Hike the Heights, held on the first Saturday of June to celebrate the Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods through inclusive community participation.

Organizes volunteer-led beautification activities including mural painting, park cleanups, and flower planting to enhance public spaces and foster community pride in Washington Heights and Inwood.

Supports one community organizing intern per month through stipends or program costs, currently hosting two community interns to build local leadership capacity.

Runs the Credible Messenger mentoring program, the first Latino-led firearm and gang violence intervention initiative in northern Manhattan, which serves youth at risk or with justice system involvement through structured mentoring and community-based support.

Facilitates bi-monthly mentor-mentee activities and holds mentor-student-parent meetings twice per year in the fall and spring to strengthen relationships and support student development.

Partners with NYC Love Kitchen to provide access to freshly cooked meals, emergency food pantry services, and community service referrals for residents in need in the Washington Heights and Inwood area.

Implements a Rapid Referral System to connect youth and young adults with urgent needs to trusted partner organizations through warm handoffs, ensuring timely access to support services.

Runs an annual summer youth employment initiative for 4–6 students and supports additional mentees in enrolling in the neighborhood Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), providing work experience and career development opportunities.

Operates the Uptown Youth Collective in collaboration with 19 to 23 schools, organizations, churches, police precincts, and local businesses to support youth development and community engagement through quarterly meetings and coordinated initiatives.

Operates the Uptown Youth Council, a student leadership group that collaborates with community leaders, engages in advocacy, and includes three senior apprentices or mentees in collective governance and community projects.

Operates a weekly mentoring program that pairs community leaders and volunteers with middle school students for one-on-one interactions, including shared breakfasts and 45 minutes of developmental activities during the academic year. The program emphasizes character development, leadership, and long-term support, with 13 mentor-student pairs active for six years or more.

Conducts STRONG Talks, a community engagement program where individuals with lived experience share personal stories in schools and community settings to educate audiences and prevent violence.

Operates an intervention and reentry program for justice-involved or high-risk youth and young adults, offering mentorship, case management, workforce development, and behavioral health supports to help participants reconnect with education and employment.

Provides gang prevention and intervention services in high-risk communities across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including in school districts with elevated levels of economic disadvantage, chronic absenteeism, and below-average graduation rates. Programs are implemented during the school day and target students in grades K–8.

Operates a youth advocacy and leadership platform for high school students and young adults, providing structured opportunities in leadership development, civic engagement, public speaking, and advocacy.

Implements NeuroQuest™, a neuroscience-informed initiative that includes the Brain Science Club™ and the Mood Meter Project™, to help youth identify emotions, regulate stress, and improve decision-making. These hands-on programs are delivered during the school day and through extended learning opportunities.

Implements youth development programs that include a focus on gun violence prevention and intervention as a core component.

Offers training programs for adults in tailoring, sewing, cooking, baking, school maintenance, and family violence prevention. The sewing program lasts 1–2 years and leads to certification as a tailor, equipping participants with income-generating skills.