Special Achievement
The 10th year of the founding of the Union Square Awards was an opportune moment to give special recognition to the achievements of past recipients. Awardees continue to engage in exceptional work at the forefront of the social justice community and distinguished themselves locally, nationally and internationally, building organizations that mobilize new communities and revitalize civic engagement.
Union Square Awardees have changed public policies, created innovative models of service, litigated landmark cases, and built important community institutions. The 2007 Special Achievement Award honored these contributions and affirmed the initial confidence placed in small grassroots organizations supporting and encouraging this work. Understanding that the road to social justice is long, the Special Achievement Award emphasized the importance of organizational sustainability in making lasting social change.The Special Achievement Award was a one-time grant of $100,000 toward general operating support to four Union Square Awardees.
DEVELOPING YOUTH LEADERS
Brotherhood/SisterSol (2000 Award recipient)
Based in Harlem, Brotherhood/SisterSol (BHSS) develops Black and Latino young women and men as critical thinkers and community leaders. Responding to the needs of youth who live in low-income communities surrounded by violence, racism and mis-education, BHSS provides educational programs and organizing opportunities to overcome negative pressures as well as the skills to combat them.
BUILDING INNOVATIVE MODELS
Hour Children (2001 Award recipient)
Based in Queens, Hour Children is a multifaceted family service provider for incarcerated mothers, ex-offenders, and their children. It provides a range of support services including a children's center and nursery, guardianship, family visitation, counseling, on-going educational and mentoring programs, parenting and pre-release employment, volunteer lawyers, and housing for families.
MOBILIZING LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Make the Road - New York (1999 Award recipient)
Make the Road-New York promotes economic justice, equity and opportunity for New Yorkers through community and electoral organizing, strategic policy advocacy, leadership development, youth and adult education, and legal and support services. With offices in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, it builds political power for low-income and recent immigrants to the City.
BUILDING LEADERSHIP FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Youth Ministries for Peace & Justice (1998 Award recipient)
Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ) works in the Bronx River, Bruckner and Soundview neighborhoods. At the heart of its mission is the belief in the potential of young people to make social change. A center for urban ministry, YMPJ develops indigenous leadership by mobilizing young people to reconstruct and sustain their communities.