This summer marked our 10th anniversary. We welcomed five fellows from across New York to make a different for 10 weeks in Brooklyn. I their own words, hear about their summer work.

Austin Okoase, VOCAL-NYC

“This experience changed the issues that are important to me … this being my first time I’ve been put in an environment that focuses on overdose prevention.”

Mame Niang, Brooklyn Defender Services

“Joining Brooklyn Defender Services has always been something I wanted. Thank you Hope Reichbach for giving me the opportunity to do so. “

Nagieliss Belliard, Red Hook Community Justice Center

“I think going to the housing court was always something I look forward to because it allowed me to meet people and hear their stories.”

Rosemary Oleh, El Puente

“It was great to meet all of the high schoolers and college students and help them find an area of available programming that they were interested in.”

Sharona Nagamuthu, Alternatives to Incarceration

“My time spent at BJI allowed me to learn more about the criminal legal system. Through my interactions and observations of court and legal procedures I’ve gained a new found interest in this area. During the fellowship, from my interactions with the court system, I began to consider going to law school. This might even still be a potential occurrence later on in my professional career. I’ve also have a new found interest in legal policy. For me, it was extremely interesting to learn about the NYS bail reform act and I am now considering a research project regarding the criminal legal system in DC.”