• PRE-RELEASE advocacy

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    At Rikers Island, our staff visits the Eric M. Taylor Center (EMTC) and the Rose M. Singer Center each week to conduct outreach.
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  • POSITIVE YOUTH development

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    Our services are rooted in a passion for and belief in our individual youth members’ resilience and ability to achieve. Our services are...
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  • COMMUNITY partnerships

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    Our partnerships with other community stakeholders complement our work and enhance the experience of our youth...
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  • RESPONSIBLE fatherhood

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    Operating out of a Bronx community center, Friends to Fathers (F2F) is a community-based initiative for non-custodial fathers...
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Vertical Smart Slide 1
Shiasia, youth membe…
Shiasia, youth member


“Growing up in Harlem, I always felt like no one would do anything for me.  I thought Friends would be just another GED school, but they proved me wrong. I’m going to see how far I can go.”

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Testimonial – 1
Sarah, youth member


“They gave me that push when no one else was giving me that push.  When I came to Friends I came with an immature attitude, but when I left, I left a lady!”

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Testimonial – 2
Leonard, father


I want to be there for my son and make sure he has everything he needs.”

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New Contract from MDRC

Educational Advocacy


We are proud to announce a new effort to provide educational advocacy to 16- and 17-year-olds returning home from RikersIsland.  We are grateful for the…

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New Website Launched

New Website Launched


We hope you enjoy our new website. We will have many exciting features and new items that will keep you up-to-date on what we are…

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STATEMENT FROM RUSSELL SIMMONS

STATEMENT FROM RUSSELL SIMMONS


A very big congratulations to Friends of Island Academy on celebrating its 20th Anniversary! Over the years, I have been honored to have interacted with…

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