A human exchange over a cup of coffee can go a long way towards bringing humanity to a sometimes alienating experience.
A new coffee stand at our Brooklyn Justice Initiatives office is bringing humanity to the legal process by giving people involved in the justice system a chance to connect with others before their court-mandated check-ins.
At the “Coffee Corner,” a partnership between our Brooklyn Justice Initiatives team and Fountain House, participants in New York City’s Supervised Release Program can stop by for a friendly conversation and free coffee, tea, or soda. There are no mandates, no reporting requirements, no strings attached—just a human exchange over a refreshing drink.
“There are times where I'm in the elevator and somebody's like, ‘I can't wait to get my cup of coffee today,’” says Gigi Irizarry, a clinical coordinator at Brooklyn Justice Initiatives. “It’s quite literally dignifying the experience of being in a court-mandated program.”
That’s a vital source of comfort in a program like Supervised Release, a community justice-based alternative to bail that keeps people out of jail, in touch with their communities, and connected to services while they wait for their court case to be resolved.
“I think people can come to their Supervised Release check-ins feeling very ostracized; there’s sometimes shame that comes with it,” says Irizarry, referring to the process of navigating a criminal charge. “So to be able to offer them something like a coffee and a pleasant interaction that doesn't feel mandated—I think that that goes such a long way.”
Watch this short video to hear what staff and participants have to say about the Coffee Corner.
The Coffee Corner was inspired by another initiative we support with Fountain House: the Recharge Station, a kiosk in Times Square where people can enjoy a coffee, have a conversation, and access overdose-reversing medication like Narcan and other critical resources that may be difficult to find on their own. This approach recognizes the importance of positive social interaction, not just clinical treatment, in supporting people with mental health needs.
“I find that having this Coffee Corner here helps create a more positive and memorable experience for some of our participants,” says Sophia Graham, supervising case manager on our Brooklyn Supervised Release team. “I’ve seen people’s faces light up as they come in.”
Bringing that kind of non-judgmental social experience to people involved in the Supervised Release Program—a setting where many interactions, even supportive ones, are mandated by a judge—is the goal behind the Coffee Corner. It’s a small investment, but one that goes a long way towards creating a warmer, more affirming environment for people going through a difficult moment in their lives.