Friends of Island Academy applauds the Supreme Court's decision in Graham v. Florida, recognizing that juvenile offenders in non-homicide cases are too young to be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Friends of Island Academy had signed on to the case as an amicus curiae. We remain committed to helping youth rebuild their lives and fulfill their potential.

A message from Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam »

New York is one of only two states in the nation in which 16-year-old youth are considered adults in the criminal justice system, yet they are still young enough to grow out of their shoes during the months they are incarcerated.

Friends of Island Academy is a youth development center which anchors and empowers young people newly released from jail in New York City and offers the protective factors necessary to keep them from going back in.

Our youth members credit the staff and teachers at Friends for their achievements and for "saving" their lives. We, in turn, credit our youth members' resilience and perseverance. They are strong-willed and hopeful. They are working hard to belong to something positive and to become something good.

Our work is straightforward, effective and just.