Rikers Island Welcome Station Connects People With Community, Services

The Mass Bail Out Welcome Center, a volunteer run resource center housed in a trailer just outside the entrance to Rikers Island in Elmhurst, officially launched Saturday morning. The center is part of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Human Rights’ Mass Bail Out Action, a month-long effort to bail out as many women and children from Rikers Island as possible.

The center’s launch featured a ribbon cutting hosted by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and attended by Council Member Jumaane D. Williams of District 45, Council Member Costa Constantinides of District 22 and representatives of organizations like 696 Build Queensbridge, Rock Safe Streets, Fathers Alive In The Hood and other community leaders and activists.

Previously housed at The Fortune Society’s Long Island City office, the mobile center quietly opened earlier this month and seeks to help people recently released on bail and connect them with services in the community.