The #Right2RemainSilent is a coalition of 140 organizations across NYS supporting the Youth Interrogation Act (S-1099A/A8923A)This legislation which is sponsored by Assemblymember Hevesi and Senator Bailey would prohibit police from interrogating a child under the age of 18, who is in their custody, until the child has consulted with an attorney, either by phone, video, or in person.

This is important as 90% of youth who are arrested waive the right to remain silent. This police practice - of interrogating youth without providing them an attorney - has a disproportionate effect on Black or Latinx youth from over-surveilled schools and low socioeconomic communities.

As people of faith we must take action, #Right2RemainSilent is a rallying call for the protection of our most vulnerable commodities, which is our youth. Research has shown that a young person’s brain is still in development until the age of 25. This means they lack the understanding of the consequences of waiving these important rights. We have heard numerous accounts of youth falsely confessing to crimes due to aggressive or coercive police tactics. These practices are overwhelming at any age but especially so when it comes to young impressionable minds. Police are allowed to interrogate youth without parents or guardians. They are also not required to explain to youth or their parents what they want to talk to the child about.

It is time to mobilize our faith, join us in calling for the state legislature to pass the Youth Interrogation bill by signing onto our faith based letter of support.

Join the New York City Comptroller's Office as we honor the 70th anniversary of the landmark 1954 civil rights case, Brown v. Board of Education.

On Wednesday May 22, join us along with NY Appleseed, NYU Metro Center, the National Coalition on School Diversity, students, scholars, organizers, leaders, and advocates for a panel discussion and convening at Brooklyn Borough Hall that seeks to re-ignite this generations-old push to create an inclusive, multiracial education system where young people of all backgrounds have the opportunity and support to thrive.

Brooklyn Borough Hall is located at 209 Joralemon Street and the event will start at 5 p.m.

Space is limited, early registration is strongly recommended.

Yeshiva University's Parnes Psychological Training Clinic is hosting a Bronx community resources event to serve asylum seekers and migrant teens living in the Bronx. We are reaching out to shelters and services like you for help connecting asylum seekers to essential resources they are entitled to.

This event will bring together many essential resources, covering academic, health and mental health needs. 

Organizations in attendance include:

·  The New York Public Library: Providing free books in English and Spanish, offering sign ups for free library cards, enrolling participants in its College and Careers Pathway Program, where participants will be eligible to earn cash prizes in return for their engagement in college and career preparatory programming

·   KIND, (Kids in Need of Defense): Representatives will be present to check-in with participants about their current needs and also raise awareness about the services they can provide, such as social and legal services.

·  Empire Blue Cross Shield health insurance: Promoting access to health care and insurance by educating attendees about different offerings, government assisted food programs, and preventative health care measures. 

If you have any questions, would like more information, or want to RSVP to the event, please reach out to Shira Levy at slevy3@mail.yu.edu or click the button below. 

This workshop will explore why people batter and abuse, what accountability looks like in spiritual care and congregational settings, how faith leaders can avoid collusion with those who harm, and clergy do's and don'ts working with those who abuse. Facilitated by Quentin Walcott, Executive Director of CONNECT and Danielle Williams, coordinator of CONNECT Faith. Doors open at 9:30am for coffee, networking and light continental breakfast. Click the button below to register.

This is the first workshop for the CONNECT Faith Brooklyn Clergy Cohort, a cohort of faith leaders who will gather quarterly to expand their knowledge, awareness, tools and resources to prevent and address domestic violence. The Cohort consists of 5 bi-monthly workshops that explore the dynamics of domestic violence; congregation-based strategies for prevention; spiritual care for survivors and those who harm; and a safe space for theological reflection on religious resources and roadblocks to addressing domestic violence.

The Interfaith Center of New York (ICNY) works to overcome prejudice, violence, and misunderstanding by activating the power of the city's grassroots religious and civic leaders and their communities.