News
Here you can read the latest press from all of our Projects, and find out about the tremendous work we’re doing every day.
Each of these stories represents lives changed for the better, and we are so proud of our staff for their dedication to the people they serve.
NYC Subway Safety Plan Targeting The Homeless Shows Hints Of Promise But Significant Problems
NY Daily News
"The vast majority of homeless people's interactions with outreach teams don’t result in transport to shelter, according to NYPD data obtained via a Freedom of Information request by the Urban Justice Center’s Safety Net Project."Rikers Closure Looms While Correction Officials Confront Immediate Problems
NY1
“We’re here because Mayor Adams proposed a budget which is a recipe for keeping Rikers open by maintaining the Department of Corrections bloated budget,” said Darren Mack, co-director, Freedom Agenda at the Urban Justice Center."NY State Child Abuse Hotline Shortfalls Lead To Unnecessary Investigations: Report
NY Daily News
"Advocates at the New York City Family Policy Project [part of UJC's 2022-2024 Social Justice Accelerator cohort] are pushing agents who field the calls to ask more questions before putting a family through a traumatic investigation."Adams Agency Blesses Green Rikers Island While City Hall Scoffs At 2027 Shutdown Deadline
The City
"Darren Mack, co-director of Freedom Agenda at the Urban Justice Center and an organizer of the campaign to close Rikers, described frustration at a climate of disinvestment in city communities that rely on government for services and opportunities."New York Child Protection Hotline Accepts Maltreatment Allegations At Far Higher Rates Than Other States, New Study Shows
The Intercept
“The consequences are serious,” the report by The New York City Family Policy Project [part of UJC's Social Justice Accelerator 2022-2024 cohort] states. “Families under investigation endure two months of inspections of their homes and bodies, demands for medical and school records, and intrusive interviews with their neighbors, doctors and teachers that can damage their reputation, all while holding their breath, not knowing if their children may be taken.”City Hall Announces Near-Elimination Of Benefits Case Backlog As Challenges Persist
City Limits
“Across the board we’ve been continuing to see people having significant issues with the process in general, in terms of being able to complete interviews, [and] being able to get their recertifications processed,” said Helen Strom, benefits and homeless advocacy director at the Safety Net Project."