Our “Urban Neighborhood Services” (UNS) Multi-Service Center offers social service interventions to the full diversity of Coney Island’s community members, from local veterans and formerly incarcerated residents to LGBTQ youth and college-bound students. UNS offers case management and benefits counseling and access assistance along with improving the community’s well-being by conducting health workshops and promoting anti-violence messages. This service center also offers classes that guide participants through financial and legal struggles. JCCGCI is devoted to giving people access to education, employment and overall moral support to each unique individual that strengthens our diverse community.

Following are some of the programs available at UNS’ multi-service site on Mermaid Avenue in the heart of Coney Island:

Housing Preservation Initiative (HPI) Program
The Housing Preservation Initiative (HPI) is a proven, successful program that protects affordable housing and promotes neighborhood stabilization. The key to the success of HPI is its grassroots-based solutions that directly address the particular threat in each community.

Domestic Violence and Empowerment (DoVE) Initiative
The Domestic Violence and Empowerment (DoVE) Initiative promotes awareness and increases education to reduce domestic violence. Through our intensive outreach efforts, we endeavor to promote awareness, provide direct linkage to viable resources of support and reduce incidents of domestic violence in the community.

Mental Health Therapeutic Services
Our Mental Health Therapeutic Services provide counselling and therapy to community members who have been impacted by or have heightened exposure to the risk of gun violence. Providing therapy to those impacted by gun violence promotes social and emotional healing and teaches coping mechanisms to avoid gun violence.

SNUG Program
The SNUG (“guns” spelled backwards) program seeks to reduce incidents of violence in Coney Island by strengthening community relationships, developing community-based structures for preventing conflict and working with local organizations to expand supportive services aimed at reducing violence.
Community Events and Outreach
Our “Urban Neighborhood Services” Multi-Service Center events celebrate the multitude of cultures and interests that make up our community. We host film screenings, Women’s History Month celebrations, disaster preparedness workshops, holiday toy drives and more.

OUR HISTORY

Urban Neighborhood Services (UNS) is a multi-service center offering a spectrum of vital programs and services to traditionally underserved residents in Coney Island and other surrounding communities in Southern Brooklyn. We are delighted to also serve individuals from all over New York City. Urban Neighborhood Services (UNS) was founded in 2004 by Coney Island resident Dr. Mathylde Frontus (Dr. Frontus was elected to the NYS Assembly to represent Coney Island in 2018). The non-profit organization was conceived by the founder as a vehicle to effect positive change and address social needs in the community, which had been historically under-served.  After Dr. Frontus’ departure in 2016, UNS subsequently dissolved as an independent nonprofit corporation. Recognizing the importance of UNS to the Coney Island community, Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI – www.jccgci.org) assumed responsibility for UNS’ programs and services in July of 2016. Samantha Ross serves as the project director.

We would like to thank our “Urban Neighborhood Services” (UNS) Multi-Service Center program funders, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), NYC Council, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), NYC Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Safe Horizons.