By Patrick Donachie
The lobby of the Jamaica office for the city Probation Department’s Neighborhood Opportunity Network was transformed into a fashion runway last week as department staff, motivational speakers and DOP Commissioner Ana Bermúdez touted opportunities available to probation clients.
Probation staff and clients modeled choice ensembles selected from the office’s Clothing Closet, stuffed with new or gently used apparel that clients and the community can take so they have stylish and professional attire for job interviews or other appointments. Bermúdez said she and her staff were changing people’s perspectives on the department’s role.
“We want to recast probation as a stage of opportunity in the justice system,” she said. “You can be accountable for what you did, but also try to create a future for yourself.”
Probation operates seven Neighborhood Opportunity Network, or NeON, locations through the five boroughs. The offices include the clothing closets, as well as nutrition kitchens and other services. The offices also help probation clients access other departments and services, all with the goal of keeping them permanently out of the criminal justice system.
“For our younger women in this particular case, they might want to see something they want to do in their life that they’re not necessarily thinking about,” Bermúdez said. ““It’s about finding a path, finding a way to stay out of the system and grow.”
The event included several motivational talks, including an appearance by Miko Branch, a co-owner of the multimillion dollar hair care brand Miss Jessie’s.
Bermúdez said many probation programs were often modeled on men since a higher percentage of probation clients are male, and the skewed perspective made it important for the staff to consider the importance of including services that could address the specific needs of female probation clients.
“The issues for women are different in terms of applying for jobs, seeking jobs and job opportunities,” she said. “There’s kind of a double stigma for women – ‘oh, you’re a woman and in the justice system? You must be really bad.’”
The clothing closet at the Jamaica NeON center at 162-24 Jamaica Ave. is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for probation clients, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the community.
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
