Organisée par 914United Inc
Leaders Build Leaders
Please help us triple our impact in 2023 by supporting our Leaders Build Leaders campaign to secure a community space to call home.
Physical spaces foster community, connection, and consistency. As we grow as a pillar of support in our community, it is imperative to create a reliable and safe space for our mentees to receive in-person high-demand services and leadership cultivation.
To secure our space, it will cost $40,000 per year or $3,000 per month to cover rent, utilities, maintenance, and building permits. Our target location lies in the heart of Southwest Yonkers, specifically Radford Street & South Broadway, which lacks a relationship-centered and community-based mentoring organization catering to gang-influenced youth, and the justice-involved, or anyone who is convicted, has been convicted or has been incarcerated in Westchester, New York.
Why do we need this space?
Over the last 45 years, the incarceration rate in Westchester County has increased by 143% going from 458 people yearly to 1,111 people. (Source: State Courts) At any given time, roughly 2,600 people are locked up in Westchester. (Source: A Look at Westchester County). Our programming aims to address the negative effects of incarceration and heal those who suffer from them in underserved communities. Our mission is to expose, educate, and empower those we serve by providing them with resources and services to create and sustain a positive lifestyle.
Who are we?
914United was founded by Jonathan Alvarez and John Cabrera. These childhood friends were gang-influenced youth. While Cabrera changed the course of his life for the better, Alvarez, on the other hand, continued spiraling down the wrong path. At 17 years old Alvarez was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in state prison for a violent crime. As he often states: “I didn’t just serve prison time, prison time served me.” He went to prison with a tenth-grade education and returned home with a Bachelor's in Social Studies.
He was determined to take advantage of a second chance at life. As he worked to rebuild his life piece by piece, Cabrera witnessed the hurdles placed before his friend. Cabrera unwaveringly supported Alvarez throughout his incarceration, helping him navigate life’s challenges. Both individuals recognized the inevitable difficulty in the reentry process. From this pivotal experience, their lived experiences fueled their passion - inspiring them to create adequate support services for justice-involved individuals and youth.
Today, our core focus is credible messenger mentoring and relationship-centered initiatives. Our programs focus on cultivating financial literacy, civic engagement, life skills, and leadership development.
In addition to improving and facilitating in-person programming in 2022, we co-facilitated the creation of the Yonkers Resource Tour Coalition. An effort of over 25 nonprofit and community partners, The Southside Halloween Resource Fair was our first event. With over 400 attendees, we shared resources, services, candy, and a few thrills on Lawrence Street.
Our Impact in 2022
In 2022, we spent approximately $110,000 in operation and staff compensation expenses out of the $145,000 we raised, impacting over 700 individuals in Yonkers, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, the Bronx, and White Plains. With 85% of them being justice-involved or currently being supervised by Westchester County probation or state/federal parole.
Connect with us online!
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