STRENGTHENING SAFETY, CONNECTION, AND HOPE: VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES IN ACTION THROUGH URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
Urban Neighborhood Services (UNS), a community-based program of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI), plays a critical role in advancing safety, stability, and opportunity in Coney Island through its Violence Prevention Services (VPS) program. Funded by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and with essential support from New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, this work is grounded in relationship-building, proactive outreach, and community-led solutions to violence prevention.
At the heart of UNS’s approach is meeting people where they are and responding to real, on-the-ground needs. The VPS program engages residents, families, and young people through consistent presence, trusted messengers, and activities that foster connection, responsibility, and care. These efforts are designed not only to interrupt cycles of violence, but to strengthen the social fabric of the neighborhood itself.
Pictured Above: Participants at the UNS 3rd Annual Solidarity Walk in Solidarity Against Domestic Violence event
Recently, UNS partnered with Operation H.O.O.D. (Helping Our Own Develop), JCCGCI’s community-based cure violence prevention initiative focused on outreach, mentorship, and neighborhood engagement. Together, the teams organized community-centered anti-violence activities for local youth and families, reinforcing positive engagement and shared responsibility within the neighborhood.
As part of the Violence Prevention Services initiative, UNS also facilitates programming for youth participating in DCJS (New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services)- funded diversion and prevention efforts, ensuring clarity and continuity across services. Through visible outreach and intentional community activation, the program creates safe opportunities for engagement, dialogue, and prevention work across the neighborhood.
Pictured Above: UNS student volunteers at the Coney Island Gives Thanks event, hosted by UNS, the YMCA, Coney Island Prep, and Luna Park
Through its Violence Prevention Services work, Urban Neighborhood Services connects community members to critical mental health supports operated by JCCGCI, including referrals to the organization’s Trauma Recovery Center (TRC), which provides comprehensive, trauma-informed care for individuals and families impacted by violence. These services are part of JCCGCI’s broader continuum of mental health and community-based support, ensuring residents have access to the care they need when it matters most.
The success and integrity of this work are driven in large part by Samantha Ross, Site Director of Urban Neighborhood Services. A lifelong Coney Island resident and dedicated public servant, Samantha brings deep personal commitment, professional experience, and unwavering compassion to her leadership. Her hands-on approach, combined with strong partnerships and community trust, ensures that UNS remains responsive, respectful, and impactful.
Pictured Above: A toy donation event hosted by UNS in collaboration with Operation Hood, supporting children with special needs.
By combining outreach, partnership, and access to care, JCCGCI and UNS are helping build a safer, more connected Coney Island—one relationship at a time.
Pictured Above: UNS Program Director Samantha Ross and student volunteers at the Coney Island Gives Thanks event, hosted by UNS, the YMCA, Coney Island Prep, and Luna Park
ABOUT JCCGCI
Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) is a community-based organization with a citywide scope, providing a wide-spectrum of senior citizen, career, educational, crime-reduction, mental health, community revitalization and related services benefiting all segments of the population. JCCGCI is also a technical assistance provider, offering capacity building services to nonprofits in all five boroughs through its NonProfit HelpDesk division (www.nphd.org). With 40 program sites throughout New York City staffed by almost 400 social service professionals, JCCGCI assists an average of upwards of 2,500 needy individuals and families each day.
JCCGCI’s Holocaust Survivor Support Services is one of the largest in the world, providing critical assistance to over 4,000 Holocaust Survivors annually. Services include Homecare, Transportation, Case Management, Friendly Visiting, Medicaid Appeals, Socialization, and Home Delivered Meals.
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