Young New Yorkers provides an arts-based alternative-to-incarceration program aimed at giving young people the opportunity to choose better pathways and avoid incarceration. YNY’s curriculum was developed in collaboration with therapists, social workers, attorneys, and artists and promotes youth accountability, responsibility, self-advocacy and leadership skills. To date, 99% of YNY’s participants have successfully graduated from their court-mandated and community programs and have had their cases dismissed and sealed.
Fast Facts
- Over 99% of participants have successfully graduated from YNY‘s court-mandated and community programs and resulting in most having their adult criminal cases are dismissed and sealed.
- Since 2012, over 700 young people have been sentenced to make art with us instead of jail or other adult sanctions.
- YNY offers program graduates the opportunity to take on leadership roles as part of staff as Peer Mentors to help guide new participants.
Watch this video to hear how Young New Yorkers has impacted 5 participants:
Art Not Jail from YOUNG NEW YORKERS on Vimeo.