New York City

Following Yet Another Death in NYC Jails, VOCAL-NY Demands Decarceration of Rikers and Compassionate Release for Sick Detainees

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CONTACT: Hassen Bashir, hassen@vocal-ny.org FOLLOWING YET ANOTHER DEATH IN NYC JAILS, VOCAL-NY DEMANDS DECARCERATION OF RIKERS AND COMPASSIONATE RELEASE FOR SICK DETAINEES NEW YORK — Following the death of Christian Collado on Wednesday, July 9 — the 41st reported death under Department of Corrections custody NYC jails since Mayor Adams took office — VOCAL-NY members and leaders demand change and accountability […]

Following Yet Another Death in NYC Jails, VOCAL-NY Demands Decarceration of Rikers and Compassionate Release for Sick Detainees Read More »

VOCAL-NY Demands Justice for Win Rozario; Calls for Accountability From NYPD for the Murder of a Young Man

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CONTACT: Hassen Bashir, hassen@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR WIN ROZARIO; CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FROM NYPD FOR THE MURDER OF A YOUNG MAN Community Reiterates Calls for the Immediate Removal of NYPD from Mental Health Calls NEW YORK — Today, VOCAL-NY joined the family of Win Rozario – who was killed by the NYPD while experiencing a mental health crisis

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NEW REPORT: Lack of Internet Access in NYC Shelters Impeding Wellbeing, Job, and Housing Opportunities

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CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org NEW REPORT: LACK OF INTERNET ACCESS IN NYC SHELTERS IMPEDING WELLBEING, JOB, AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES See Coverage in Gothamist on New Report Shelter Residents Past and Present Call on Lawmakers to Advance #WiFi4Homeless Legislation NEW YORK — Today, VOCAL-NY and Take Root Justice released “Wi-Fi For All: The Need for Wi-fi Access in NYC’s Shelter System,” a

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VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO VERDICT IN DANIEL PENNY MURDER TRIAL — Demands accountability from City & State

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CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO VERDICT IN DANIEL PENNY MURDER TRIAL Demands accountability from City & State  NEW YORK — Today, jurors in the Jordan Neely murder trial acquitted Daniel Penny on the charge of criminally negligent homicide. In response, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Neil Berry, a leader with VOCAL-NY: “This is just a continuous failure to recognize Jordan Neely

VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO VERDICT IN DANIEL PENNY MURDER TRIAL — Demands accountability from City & State Read More »

Olivia Ferrari

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Olivia Ferrari (she/her) is the National Data Entry Associate for VOCAL-US. Olivia is responsible for entering, organizing, and maintaining databases of VOCAL contacts. In addition to their work at VOCAL-US, she has worked in social science research, held administrative positions at several nonprofits, and volunteered with community organizations in New York City. Other accomplishments include

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Naima Lewis

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Naima Lewis (she/her) is the People and Culture Manager for VOCAL-US. Naima is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to align VOCAL’s  culture and values with employee attitudes and behaviors. In addition to her work at VOCAL-US, she is a Bronx native who began working in the Human Resources field for Kids Creative, an organization

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Al Ostapeck

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Al Ostapeck (they/them), Syringe Service Program Manager, helps run the supply distribution and service delivery on-site at the VOCAL-NY drop-in. Al has helped manage and provided front-line supportive services in supportive housing and SSP settings throughout New York City for the last decade. They have helped build and support opioid overdose prevention programs, volunteer programs,

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Nate Taylor

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Nathaniel Taylor (he/him) is one of VOCAL-NY’s PDSE Peer Educators. Nate is responsible for delivering PDSE services to New York City. He conducts weekly outreach & Narcan trainings in 4 locations. Nate is responsible for making supply packages for outreach and the public health vending machine that VOCAL-NY runs.

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John Draper

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John Damien Draper (he/him) is the Civil Rights Union Organizer for VOCAL-NY. John is responsible for organizing, advocating, political education, legal analysis, lobbying, and peer mentorship of the Civil Rights Union. John is a certified paralegal and is a BA/MPH candidate at CUNY. John is a public speaking, financial, legal, & wellness consultant, as well

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