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VOTE is made up of a growing network of currently incarcerated people, formerly incarcerated people (FIP) and their loved ones. We are the people who know the trauma of incarceration firsthand. We also know that when people feel engaged, connected and supported, they thrive. For that reason, the first step we take in organizing to change the criminal (in)justice system is getting together and sharing our experiences. We then use our collective and personal voice to build power at the local, state and national levels. Since people with convictions are able to achieve real rehabilitation and reentry when their full human and civic rights are restored, the specific rights we address are: crime survivors rights; ​employment rights; housing rights; medical rights and voting rights. We believe those are the most crucial building blocks of life after incarceration, yet our daily organizing covers a wide variety of intersecting issues. We strategically develop formerly incarcerated leaders to be the champions of our reforms through community education, civic engagement, and policy advocacy. This is how we pave the path to truly ending mass incarceration.

Every day, the VOLS team and network of partners stand by New Yorkers as they face their legal challenges. Through our six law projects and initiatives, VOLS helps to reunite families, to stave off evictions, to resolve immigration issues, to start small businesses, and much more: The Children’s Project ensures that children from low-income families can access education and healthcare in a safe, stable environment. The Elderly Project empowers older New Yorkers to age in place with dignity and without fear of homelessness. The Immigration Project supports young immigrants so they can pursue employment, access education, and achieve the American Dream. The Incarcerated Mothers Law Project helps women in prison or jail to preserve and protect their parental rights and to strengthen their relationships with their children. The Microenterprise Project enables New York’s small businesses to overcome legal challenges so their owners, employees, and communities can thrive. The Veterans Initiative of the VOLS Elderly Project honors the sacrifices of service members by ensuring they can access housing, benefits, and end-of-life planning.

Volunteers of America Mid-States creates positive change in the lives of individuals and communities through a ministry of service. At Volunteers of America, our mission is to change lives. Established in 1896, Volunteers of America Mid-States is one of the region's oldest, largest and most diverse not-for-profit organizations. When we were founded, the common understanding of “volunteer” was someone who dedicated their life to helping others. That’s what we did in 1896, and that’s what we do today.

"LGBT Detroit’s mission is to increase awareness of and support to Detroit’s dynamic LGBT culture through education and advocacy with integrity and pride." "LGBT Detroit is a non-profit whose areas of focus are youth development, cultural awareness, and emotional and physical well being." "LGBT Detroit provides direct client services to LGBTQ+ survivors of all forms of violence, including hate violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, pick-up violence, human trafficking, hate crimes, and institutional violence in the counties of Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne with the principle city of Detroit. This empowerment-based service allows survivors to regain control and lead healing conversations to better connections."

VLJ was founded in 2001 by a group of attorneys in New Jersey concerned about the limited availability of free legal resources. To date, VLJ volunteers have assisted thousands of people in the community with critical legal matters such as divorce, domestic violence, special education issues, bankruptcy, evictions and more.

Free Vocational Training!

Provides resources and advocacy that foster community development and social and economic justice efforts to strengthen the collective power of gender and sexual minorities and their allies in the GNO area. Classes, support groups, game days, advocacy, connect onto resources. Free, Schedule varies.

Building power for New Yorkers struggling with HIV/AIDS, hep. C, drug addiction, homelessness through education, community organizing, and direct action VOCAL-NY is a statewide grassroots membership organization that builds power among low-income people directly impacted by HIV/AIDS, the drug war, mass incarceration, and homelessness. We accomplish this through community organizing, leadership development, advocacy, direct services, and direct action. We have active chapters in New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, and Westchester County.

“Voices Of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL-NY) is a statewide grassroots membership organization that builds power among low-income people affected by HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, the drug war, homelessness, and mass incarceration in order to create healthy and just communities. We accomplish this through community organizing, leadership development, public education, direct services, participatory research and direct action.”

Mission: To enrich the lives of the diverse LGBTQ+ community through advocacy, support, education, and celebration.