Second chance on wheels: Community Care van in East New York helps residents impacted by justice system
The initiative is a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice and the Center for Justice Innovation.
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A new community care van is rolling through Southeast Brooklyn, bringing services directly to people impacted by the justice system and offering a pathway toward stability and a brighter future, right at their doorstep.
The mobile program supports Brooklyn residents age 35 and older who are on supervised release. It helps them stay connected to required services while awaiting trial. Participants say the approach removes barriers that often make compliance difficult.
“It keeps people out of jail,” said Joe, a program participant. “It gives them an opportunity to fix their life without being incarcerated.”
The initiative is a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice and the Center for Justice Innovation. Through the van, participants can complete required check-ins without traveling long distances. They also gain access to essentials like food, clothing, and transportation.
“We have this really cool opportunity where you can still engage with the program,” said Curtis Huggins, director of Community Initiatives at the Center for Justice Innovation. “But instead of having to travel an hour or sometimes an hour and a half, we can bring the services directly to you.”
Beyond check-ins, the mobile unit connects participants to mental health services, job training, and housing assistance. The support is designed to reduce the risk of missed appointments or court dates.
“This is just a tool to make sure we’re helping people comply,” said Jordan Montoya, executive director of Diversion and Transition at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. “So cases can continue and people can have the success they need to see in their own lives.”
Community navigators Troy and Elvin Severe help deliver those services, serving as trusted guides for participants who are navigating the system. For Elvin Severe, the work is deeply personal.
“I’m emulating what I wish I had when I was younger,” Severe said. “I’m the person that I once needed. I’m trying to be there for other people.”
Officials with the Center for Justice Innovation say the community care van is designed to break down barriers and ensure support reaches participants exactly where they are both physically, and in their journey forward.
