Communities for Safety Collective

Communities for Safety Collective

Common Justice’s Communities for Safety Collective is a cohort built to transform one of the most pressing issues for New York City: public safety.  

This Collective is designed for New Yorkers who believe that safety doesn’t start with policing, punishment, and endless surveillance — it starts with addressing the root causes of violence and holding people truly accountable for their actions. 

This eight-session program will provide community members with the knowledge needed to start new conversations about crime and violence and with tools to create media that changes the way people think about policing, incarceration, and the need for alternatives. Over the course of four months, you will learn how to drive policy decisions about public safety throughout communities all over New York City. 

Who is this for

If you are a New Yorker who is ready to lead change and reclaim the way we address public safety, this is for you.  

This is a space for anyone affected by community or interpersonal violence or anyone who wants to change the way NYC handles issues of safety. We are looking for someone who wants to build something bold: a collective of people ready to shift narratives, challenge harmful systems, and invest in real solutions. 

Whether you’ve been an advocate for years or you’re just beginning, this program offers tools, training, and community to help you spark meaningful change wherever you are in your journey. 

What You’ll Learn + Do

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✅ Explore Community-Based Solutions to Violence and Crime

Learn proven models that keep communities safe without relying on incarceration and over policing

✅ Build Narrative Power + Gain Civic Media Skills

Gain skills to use civic media, storytelling, and social platforms to shift the conversation about safety, violence, and crime to create lasting pathways to make New York safer

✅ Connect with Change-Makers

Join a vibrant community of peers who share your values and your vision for a safer city

✅ Develop Skills to Advocate and Mobilize

Get tools to influence policy, spark local action, and co-create new visions of safety that actually work through becoming more involved with local government bodies, including community boards and city council sessions

Who we’re looking for:

  • Survivors of violence who want to shape community based and humane public safety solutions 
  • Credible messengers, including formerly incarcerated leaders, re-entry advocates, and street outreach workers 
  • Young leaders (17+ years old) with lived experience who are eager to learn how civic systems work 
  • Aspiring storytellers and media makers who want to report, document, and shift the narrative around safety and justice in their neighborhoods 
  • Community members invested in learning ways to make their neighborhoods safer without relying on punishment and policing 
  • Anyone looking to take the next step to get further involved in their community 

Schedule:

  • Monday, February 9th (In person)
  • Wednesday, February 11th (Virtual)
  • Monday, March 9th (Virtual)
  • Wednesday, March 11th (In person)
  • Monday, April 6th (Virtual)
  • Wednesday, April 8th (In person)
  • Monday, May 11th (In person)
  • Wednesday, May 13th (In person)

Why Now?

New York City is at a pivotal moment as more and more politicians are turning to harsh, inhumane and regressive policies and laws to deal with the issue of violence and crime.  

Communities across the city are calling for real safety—solutions that don’t rely on policing, but instead center rigorous accountability and community-based solutions to harm.  

We know what doesn’t work. This is our chance to build what does. 

Join the campaign
Join the campaign
Join the campaign

Application Details

  • Applications open August 4th, 2025.
  • Must live in New York City.
  • Applications are due on or by November 21st, 2025.  
  • Members who are selected for the cohort will be notified on or by December 19th, 2025. 
  • This opportunity will provide a $400 stipend on successful completion of a final project.
  • Questions? Contact Tahirih Anthony, Senior Policy Manager, at CommunitiesforSafetyInfo@commonjustice.org

FAQs

Read here