Shirley

Violence prevention is not a single moment or program. It is sustained presence, trust-building, and community-centered action carried out day after day. At the heart of this work in Coney Island is Urban Neighborhood Services (UNS), whose Violence Prevention Services (VPS) program continues to play a critical role in creating safer, more connected neighborhoods through outreach, prevention, and healing. [...]

On January 7, 2026, Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) came together to celebrate the people who make our mission possible at our Annual Winter Employee Appreciation Party—and this year’s gathering was truly one for the books. With more than 100 employees in attendance, we were proud to see triple the turnout from last year, reflecting the [...]

The Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) is proud to spotlight the continued success and momentum of the Crown Heights Mesivta Vocational Track, an innovative initiative that is transforming how students engage with education, purpose, and possibility. As we look ahead to the coming year, excitement is building around a program that has already proven to be [...]

Over the past several months, Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) has been honored to see its community services programs receive meaningful recognition from respected government agencies and media outlets. These acknowledgments reflect not only the strength of our programs, but also the deep trust placed in JCCGCI to meet critical needs with professionalism, compassion, and impact. [...]

December is always a special time at JCCGCI’s Older Adult Centers, and this past holiday season was no exception. Across our centers, older adults came together to celebrate, connect, and welcome the new year surrounded by warmth, music, and friendship. These gatherings were about far more than parties—they were about community, belonging, and ensuring that every older adult felt [...]

On January 21, JCCGCI partnered with L’Oréal’s employee resource group, L’Oréal Mishpachah, to host a full-day, intentionally designed experience for 18 Holocaust survivors served by our organization. Created in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Week, the event offered survivors a meaningful opportunity to be celebrated, uplifted, and cared for in a deeply personal way. Designed as a day of dignity [...]

I am pleased to share an exciting and long-awaited development for the Crown Heights community. On May 26, 2021, a virtual “listening tour” brought together a wide range of professionals, organizations, and institutions dedicated to supporting at-risk youth in our neighborhood. A strong consensus emerged from that discussion: introducing a Vocational Track within the Mesivta high schools of Crown [...]

Project H.O.P.E. (Harboring Opportunities and Promoting Empowerment), funded by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), continues to thrive at Rachel Carson High School- offering students a safe, creative, and empowering space to learn, grow, and lead. Under the exceptional leadership of Director Diane Martinez-Maben, Project H.O.P.E. has become an essential part of the school community, engaging more than [...]

UJA-Federation of New York proudly joins the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) in celebrating a remarkable milestone — the 900th successful job placement achieved through the Parnossah Employment Services Program, a pioneering initiative addressing the distinct employment needs of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. For over a century, UJA-Federation of New York has worked to strengthen and enhance the quality of Jewish life across [...]

In the shadow of global challenges, Holocaust Survivors often feel the weight of history most deeply. Their memories, courage, and resilience remind us that the Jewish story is one of survival- and of song. On Tuesday afternoon, that spirit came alive at Ateres Golda, where JCCGCI joined Nachas Health and Maimonides for a Rosh Hashana partnership concert that filled [...]