AVENUES FOR JUSTICE CASE STUDY

BACKGROUND

In the Summer of 2015, Jess Lehmann from Brand Union’s New York office called us with almost something of a favour to ask. The Andrew Glover Youth Program at that period in our collective history, years before the Black Lives Matter movement and all that entailed nationwide and globally, appeared just another deserving charity. However, their story and the people involved are inspirational examples of dedication to the cause of others in need. 

In 1974, Robert Siegal, an NYU student working out of his small apartment near Tompkins Square Park had a passion unusual for people of his age, to provide the youth on the Lower East Side with a safe space where they could do their homework, get meals and socialize. Robert organized basketball games and provided local youth with meal tickets to get food at the NYU cafeteria.

He began working across the criminal justice system to build relationships with the local precinct officers and advocate for youths to be offered services in the courtroom. It was in this environment that he met an NYPD Police Officer from Harlem, Andrew Glover, who patrolled the Lower East Side and provided afterschool activities for the local youth.

However, only  a few months later in September 1975 Officer Andrew Glover was tragically killed in the line of duty. Robert asked Officer Glover’s family to use his name for this fledgeling charity the Andrew Glover Youth Program. Sadly, Robert also died prematurely aged 28 and it was left to others to carry the work forwards. 

It was decided in 2016 that a new more relevant name was needed, a name that could reflect the charity’s core values of support, fairness, decency and justice for the under-privileged youth, a name which could also embody the crystal clear values of the charity’s heroic founders. Brand Union’s charitable work is not always given the credit it deserves. Appella were delighted to assist with naming, validation and registration of the new name. 

Today, in 2023, Avenues for Justice helps 400 of New York City’s youth and young adults, ages 13 through 24 with legal matters, services for job training, educational and academic assistance, mental health wellness services, and much more through their HIRE UP program.