New York Presbyterian Hospital: Youth Opportunity Hub Grantee

In February 2017, New York Presbyterian Hospital was selected to receive funds under the Criminal Justice Investment Initiative (CJII) in response to the Manhattan District Attorney Office’s request for proposals to establish Youth Opportunity Hubs serving East Harlem, Central and West Harlem, Washington Heights, and the Lower East Side. The Youth Opportunity Hubs investment will create vibrant youth centers that provide comprehensive and coordinated services and opportunities, drawing upon young people’s strengths and addressing multiple risk factors and needs to prevent youth from becoming involved in the criminal justice system.

With these funds, New York Presbyterian Hospital will partner with local organizations to establish a Youth Opportunity Hub serving Washington Heights. The Hub will provide services including, but not limited to, reproductive health services, dental and vision care, violence prevention training, art therapy, parenting support, sports and recreation, education advocacy, and learning disability screening. New York Presbyterian’s history of providing healthcare and youth-focused services, in conjunction with their partners’ experience working in the community, will be invaluable to the Hub. Partners for the Hub include CARING at Columbia, Columbia University Irving Medical Center Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Chrystel Hyden (technology consultant), Dominican Women’s Development Corporation, Fundacion Dominicana de Deportes in NY (Washington Heights Athletic Association), Harlem Tae Kwon Do, Highbridge Recreation Center, Hip Hop Mentoring Cypher, Hostos Community College, Mailman School of Public Health, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, People’s Theatre Project, and the Police Athletic League.

New York Presbyterian is one of five organizations to receive funds to create Youth Opportunity Hubs. These comprehensive, wraparound approaches help to reduce the likelihood of interaction with the justice system by cultivating a young person’s strengths, rather than focusing predominantly on risk and delinquency.

The Youth Opportunity Hubs, along with the other initiatives being developed under CJII, form a comprehensive set of strategic investments that, together, will have a significant, lasting impact on public safety and justice reform in New York City.