A year ago, UPNEXT partnered with affiliate Center for Court Innovation
project Bronx Community Solutions (BCS) to expand the fellowship program beyond
the Midtown Community Court. At the conclusion of each UPNEXT program cycle,
one participant is selected to join the BCS team, assisting BCS’ Community
Service Supervisors as they work with individuals completing mandates and keep
the facility clean.
One fellow, Parnell, has described his experience at BCS as “enriching.”
He works with two division of community service mandates: the youth division
and the adult division. In particular, he enjoys working with the younger
population since his background in at-risk youth advocacy gives him a distinct
advantage in managing them. Managing the adult crews posed more of a challenge
initially, but Parnell reports that he has learned ways to supervise these
crews through his fellowship experience.
At BCS, Parnell and the mandates go outside the site and lend their
hands in many beautification activities. They have painted over vandalized
properties, provided custodial services to recreational centers, and maintained
cleanliness in the corners neighboring BCS.
Parnell finds the fellowship to be fulfilling in many ways. He is able
to give back to the community, and by providing beautification of the area; he
is able to see a change in the community service mandates as they atone for
their wrongdoings. He learned about different cultures and perspectives through
conversations with the mandates he supervises. The BCS fellowship is an
invaluable opportunity for UPNEXT’s participant. Many alumni, like Parnell, complete
the fellowship with a unique sense of accomplishment and satisfaction and find
themselves on a path to long-term career and family success. The UPNEXT team is
grateful to BCS for this essential partnership and hopes to continue the
collaboration for years to come!
