VOCAL-NY (Voices of Community Activists & Leaders) is a grassroots social services organization dedicated to empowering low-income individuals and communities affected by HIV/AIDS, drug use, mass incarceration, and homelessness. With a deep commitment to social justice, VOCAL-NY blends direct services with community organizing, leadership development, and policy advocacy to create lasting systemic change. Their work centers on amplifying the voices of those most impacted by social inequities and engaging them in the fight for human rights and equitable access to resources.

The organization provides essential support services, including harm reduction programs, peer support, and housing assistance, while also striving to end the criminalization of poverty. VOCAL-NY is especially known for its leadership training programs that prepare community members to take active roles in advocacy and policy reform. By combining service delivery with grassroots activism, they foster long-term self-sufficiency and mobilize a powerful base for political change. Their culturally competent and inclusive approach has earned recognition from allied organizations and public health institutions across New York and beyond. VOCAL-NY continually partners with coalitions and engages in legislative campaigns that aim to address structural injustices affecting marginalized communities.

Key Services:

– Harm reduction and overdose prevention programs
– Peer-led HIV/HCV education and support
– Housing navigation and stability support
– Leadership development for individuals impacted by poverty and incarceration
– Community organizing and grassroots advocacy
– Criminal justice and drug policy reform initiatives
– Reentry and reintegration services for formerly incarcerated individuals
– Civic engagement and voter mobilization in underserved communities