45 Years of Second Chances: SECOND CHANCE GALA AND AWARDS DINNER

Last night at The Altman Building, Avenues for Justice (AFJ) celebrated “45 Years of Second Chances” at our annual Second Chance Gala. An evening of celebration and hope for criminal justice reform, the gala honored criminal and social justice advocates such as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin J. Bragg Jr, who received the Andrew Glover Justice Award for his reform activism, as well as corporate honoree Rothschild & Co, and Second Chance honoree Darleen “Dede” Agar, Vice President of Goldman Sachs.

Every year the AFJ team recognizes one of our own program graduates who have made tremendous strides to change their life around. This year’s 2024 Second Chance Award recipient was AFJ program graduate Malik Rainey.

“I knew from my first meeting with Angel 18 years ago, that I had to be a part of the AFJ movement, because what we do here is NOT a cause, it is a movement,” said AFJ’s Executive Director Liz Frederick. “At AFJ we understand that our Participants face unique and significant challenges at home, school, with their friends, and in their neighborhoods – all of which they can overcome with the right support. Along with Malik, we celebrate all of our Participants and program graduates here with us tonight. We are here to help you find your footing in life no matter how many times you stumble. Just as long as you show up at the community centers, show up to court, remain accountable, and put in the work, AFJ’s doors will always be open.”

To close out the gala, Liz Frederick took to the stage with the full 17-member AFJ staff to present Angel Rodriguez with a surprise “Vision & Legacy Award” to honor his longtime commitment to the organization and its kids.

Thank you to our Board of Directors and our supporters who helped make this night happen. We look forward to sharing more photos, quotes, videos and stories from this historic evening in the days to come!