United Way of New York City, in Partnership with The Fortune Society and the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Announces $1.5 Million Atlas Workforce Grant

[NEW YORK, May 13, 2024] – Today, United Way of New York City (UWNYC) is proud to establish a new partnership and $1.5 Million in grant funding awarded to The Fortune Society, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting alternatives to incarceration and supporting successful reentry from incarceration. This funding, allocated by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) through its Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS), marks a crucial step forward in the ongoing effort to develop creative and effective pathways to success for justice-involved individuals.

Atlas Workforce aims to add to the existing community violence intervention and prevention strategies in New York City by creating a continuum of care for adult men most likely to engage in serious community violence and least likely to receive the supportive services necessary to end cycles of trauma and violence. This $1.5 million investment will aid in the development of individualized plans that will provide the necessary services and resources to reduce barriers to engagement, along with transitional employment opportunities that will create a pathway to stable, unsubsidized employment.

“We are proud to partner with DYCD’s ONS and The Fortune Society to combat community violence and empower every New Yorker to succeed, including those impacted by the criminal legal system, ” said Grace C. Bonilla, President and CEO of United Way of New York City. “Programs like this are at the crux of what we stand for as a force multiplier for good. We are committed to strengthening the capacity of community-based organizations and meeting the needs of our city.”

Atlas Workforce is one of the newest programs under DYCD’s ONS. Launched in 2020, the mission of Atlas is to improve public safety and to enhance the capacity of community-based organizations across the five boroughs to serve people at an elevated risk of community violence involvement by addressing barriers to opportunity. By eliminating the dependence on incarceration and instead providing mental health resources, job training and placement, case management, and other material support, Atlas interrupts cycles of violence and justice involvement.

“As Mayor Adams often points out, public safety and justice are prerequisites to prosperity,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “Upstream solutions like this new partnership are critical in ensuring opportunities for success are available to everyone. Our administration looks forward to supporting United Way of New York City and The Fortune Society in making Atlas Workforce a model for government-nonprofit partnerships that give New Yorkers a fresh start in life.”

“Mayor Eric Adams is focused on protecting public safety, rebuilding our economy, and making our city more livable—and this new partnership with United Way of New York City and The Fortune Society checks off all the boxes,” said Keith Howard, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). “DYCD has a leading role among multiple city agencies entrusted with implementing the Mayor’s ‘A Blueprint for Community Safety.’ We are committed to disrupting the prison pipeline, and connecting young people who are justice-involved with the career opportunities they deserve.”

The Fortune Society is at the forefront of criminal justice reform, providing a comprehensive range of services to help individuals successfully reintegrate into society, which is deeply aligned with the goals of Atlas Workforce. From housing and employment assistance to counseling and advocacy, The Fortune Society works tirelessly to empower individuals with resources and support they need to rebuild their lives.

“Atlas Workforce represents a crucial step towards creating safer, more resilient communities in the South Bronx,” said Stanley Richards, President and CEO of The Fortune Society. “This initiative will address systemic trauma and the root causes of violence by providing credible messaging and tangible opportunities for economic empowerment, thereby embodying our commitment to justice, equity, and a holistic community and its well-being. We are proud to be a part of this transformative work and look forward to collaborating with stakeholders, participants, and the community at large to create deep and lasting change.”

UWNYC remains steadfast in its dedication to creating a more just and equitable society, and looks forward to continued collaboration with The Fortune Society and other partners in the fight for equity and justice.

For more information about United Way of New York City and our work in the justice and opportunity space, please visit www.unitedwaynyc.org.

About United Way of New York City:

For 85 years, United Way of New York City has been at the forefront in the fight to drive equity and ensure dignity for all New Yorkers, no matter their zip code. We unite by mobilizing the best ideas, relevant data, internal and external experts, and resources. United Way of New York City maximizes impact by coordinating and aligning service providers, companies, local government, and New Yorkers to help families eliminate barriers and gain the agency to improve their lives for the better. To learn more, visit United Way of New York City’s website.

About The Fortune Society:

Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society has advocated on criminal justice issues for over five decades and is nationally recognized for developing model programs that help people with criminal justice histories to be assets to their communities. Fortune offers a holistic and integrated “one-stop-shopping” model of service provision. Among the services offered are discharge planning, licensed outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, career development and job retention, education, family services, drop-in services, and supportive housing as well as lifetime access to aftercare. Fortune has a dual mission of services and advocacy, through our David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy, as well as research in our Center for Research, Inquiry, and Social Justice. We use what we learn from our justice-impacted staff and leadership and from the people we serve about the obstacles that people with criminal histories face to inform and fuel our advocacy work. For more information, visit www.fortunesociety.org.

About New York City’s Department of Youth and Community Development:

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) invests in a network of community-based organizations and programs to alleviate the effects of poverty and to provide opportunities for New Yorkers and communities to flourish. Since 1996, DYCD has been committed to supporting New Yorkers of all ages through high quality initiatives such as the Office of Neighborhood Safety, Beacon and Cornerstone Community Centers, COMPASS afterschool, the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), Adult Literacy and Immigrant Services, and Runaway and Homeless Youth. www.nyc.gov/dycd.

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