Avenues For Justice Inc

In 2024, afj saw strong outcomes: 67% of cases were adjourned, 16% dismissed, and fewer than 2% resulted in incarceration. Of the participants who exited the program, 98% completed it, two-thirds achieving both court-mandated and afj-established goals.our program is effective and efficient. Afj's long-term recidivism data shows that only 6% of participants are reconvicted within three years of enrolling, compared to 42% of nyc parolees in a comparable study. Among successful graduates, over six years, only 14% of participants were reconvicted, with most of these convictions being for misdemeanors. Operating rikers costs nyc taxpayers approximately $500,000 per incarcerated person per year. It only costs afj $6,300 to put one young person through a full year of our wraparound services which lead to employment, academic success, and long-term stability.in addition to outcome data, afj conducts annual satisfaction surveys to assess our effectiveness beyond recidivism. In 2024, respondents overwhelmingly reported that afj helped improve their decision-making, gave them hope, and helped them resist peer pressure. The vast majority of them stated they would recommend the program to their peers.while data informs our strategic decisions, afj believes that impact must be measured in both numbers and narratives. We regularly share participant stories to highlight how, with the right support, young people facing significant barriers can thrive. Success is when a participant satisfies the court's requirements and receives a favorable disposition of their case. Success is when our participants complete the hire up program, graduate from school, go on to further education, and/or enter gainful employment. Success is when we address the needs of our participants as a whole, recognizing that personal growth, community connection, and long-term stability are just as critical as statistical outcomes.