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Young New Yorkers
Visual Arts Residency
Young New Yorkers, directed by Rachel Barnard, is an arts and social justice not-for-profit. Their mission is to empower court-involved young people to transform the criminal justice system through their own creative voice. Current programs include an 8-week alternative to incarceration program; a 1-day court-mandated program for young people who have incurred a Desk Appearance Ticket; and 8-week community programs in neighborhoods with high rates of clients on probation. On the completion of the court-mandated programs participants typically have their criminal charges dismissed and sealed leaving their young lives uninhibited by an adult criminal record. Each program culminates in a public exhibition and art project designed and implemented by the young participants.