Urban Justice Center

Urban Justice Center is a nonprofit organization based in New York City, United States, that advocates for the rights of marginalized communities, including homeless people, sex workers, and LGBTQ+ individuals. The organization works closely with American Civil Liberties Union, Human Rights Watch, and National Coalition for the Homeless to address issues such as police brutality, mass incarceration, and income inequality. Founded by Douglas Lasdon and Peter Evans, the Urban Justice Center has become a leading voice in the fight for social justice and human rights in New York State and beyond, often collaborating with New York University School of Law, Columbia University, and Fordham University.

● History

The Urban Justice Center was established in 1984 with the goal of providing legal services to low-income individuals and families in New York City. Over the years, the organization has grown to include a range of programs and services, from legal advocacy to community organizing and policy reform. The Urban Justice Center has worked with notable organizations such as ACLU of New York, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, and National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty to address issues such as housing affordability, healthcare access, and voting rights. The organization has also partnered with city officials, including New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, and New York City Council members, such as Corey Johnson and Brad Lander, to advance progressive policies and social justice initiatives.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The Urban Justice Center's mission is to advance the rights of marginalized communities and promote social justice and human rights in New York City and beyond. The organization's objectives include providing legal services to low-income individuals and families, advocating for policy reform and legislative change, and supporting community organizing and grassroots activism. The Urban Justice Center works closely with organizations such as National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood, and Lambda Legal to address issues such as reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice. The organization also collaborates with universities and research institutions, including Harvard University, Yale University, and University of California, Berkeley, to advance social science research and policy analysis.

● Programs_and_Services

The Urban Justice Center offers a range of programs and services, including legal advocacy, community organizing, and policy reform. The organization's programs include the Sex Workers Project, which provides legal services and advocacy for sex workers, and the Peter Cicchino Youth Project, which supports LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color. The Urban Justice Center also operates the Human Rights Project, which advocates for human rights and social justice in New York City and beyond, often working with organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights First, and International Justice Resource Center. Additionally, the organization provides technical assistance and capacity building support to community-based organizations and grassroots groups, including Make the Road New York, New York Communities for Change, and VOCAL-NY.

● Impact_and_Achievements

The Urban Justice Center has had a significant impact on the lives of marginalized communities in New York City and beyond. The organization's advocacy efforts have helped to advance policy reform and legislative change, including the passage of New York State's Marriage Equality Act and the New York City Human Rights Law. The Urban Justice Center has also provided legal services to thousands of low-income individuals and families, and has supported community organizing and grassroots activism efforts across the city. The organization has received awards and recognition from organizations such as National Association of Social Workers, American Bar Association, and New York City Bar Association, and has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and Democracy Now!.

● Organization_and_Leadership

The Urban Justice Center is led by a team of experienced nonprofit professionals and social justice advocates, including Executive Director, Douglas Lasdon, and Board Chair, Peter Evans. The organization's board of directors includes notable figures such as Susan Sturm, Professor of Law at Columbia University, and Richard Buery, Deputy Mayor of New York City. The Urban Justice Center is also supported by a network of community partners and funders, including Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and New York Community Trust. The organization is a member of National Council of Nonprofits and New York City Nonprofit Coalition, and has partnerships with universities and research institutions, including New York University, Columbia University, and City University of New York. Category:Social justice organizations