Temporary Public Policy Fellow, Institute for Transformative Mentoring (ITM

at  The New School

The Center for New York City Affairs (CNYCA) at The New School/Milano is an applied policy research organization. The Center works where people’s lives intersect with government and community organizations to illuminate the impact of public policy on the lives of individuals and communities. Our research focuses on what works, practical solutions, rigorous analysis, and provides real-time feedback for policymakers, providers, and communities. We have built a strong track record of creating change in the areas of education, child welfare, poverty, and juvenile justice.
The Institute for Transformative Mentoring (ITM) is a dynamic training program focused on the development of credible messengers (formerly incarcerated men and women) working in the social services fields throughout New York City. These mentors help young people navigate community violence and avoid the criminal justice system. Credible messengers are gaining systems-level recognition in New York City as an effective strategy to reduce crime and criminal justice involvement.
The Public Policy Fellowship is a five-month long fellowship for experienced credible messengers who have completed ITM’s Transformative Mentoring course. A competitive application process offers graduates the opportunity to share previous and/or current lessons learned and discuss their interest in gun violence prevention. Participating fellows meet weekly to study issues and policies associated with anti-gun violence strategies, learning about current policy initiatives and building relationships with other advocacy organizations and policymakers. Previously, fellows reviewed and discussed The Mayor’s Blueprint to End Gun Violence and learned about proposed legislation such as Fair Access to Victims Compensation S.214/A.2105, as well New Yorkers Against Gun Violence’s (NYAGV) work on the School Anti-Violence Education Act S.4598 / A.4917 and Medicaid Reimbursement for Violence Prevention Programs S.580 / A.2893.
The Institute for Transformative Mentoring (ITM) Public Policy Fellow:
ITM’s Public Policy Fellowship seeks highly motivated graduates of the Transformative Mentoring (NSBA 1500) course to serve as fellows for the 2025 Public Policy Fellowship. This year the Public Policy Fellowship will focus on strategies to prevent gun violence at the policy level.

The 2025 Fellowship goal is to introduce a Strategy to End Gun Violence. Fellows will review and report back on:

• The Mayor’s Blueprint to End Gun Violence
• Fair Access to Victims Compensation S.214/A.2105
• School Anti-Violence Education Act S.4598
• A.4917 and Medicaid Reimbursement for Violence Prevention Programs S.580 / A.2893

The ideal candidate is a graduate of the NSBA 1500 course, is knowledgeable of the harms and impact of gun violence, and is currently doing community work either through an organization or on their own. The mission is to cultivate a cohort of ITM alumni who will develop the knowledge, skills and ability to advocate for systematic changes. Elements in such advocacy include public policy research and analysis, community mobilization, and working with elected officials and partner organizations. This fellowship is meant to walk fellows through the advocacy process and build a toolbox of content and resources to support fellows in developing a plan of action for eliminating barriers to ending gun violence.
The position requires an openness to learn and a willingness to engage with the material on a critical level. Fellowship meetings take place two days per week.. In addition to regularly scheduled weekly meetings, fellows are expected to participate in community events and complete research as assignments. The fellowship concludes with the fellows developing their own advocacy strategy that would directly impact the communities they serve. Fellows concentrate on community building events. Fellows will leave with a successfully designed draft policy advocacy strategy to share with colleagues and implement after the workshop.
The Public Policy Fellows will report directly to the ITM Director. This position is funded by and contingent upon external fundraising.
The New School is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and particularly seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups, as well as candidates who share this commitment. People with histories of arrest, conviction and/or incarceration are encouraged to apply. For more information about ITM, please visit our website: centernyc.org/itm-about.

• Attend and participate in four (4) community events focused on the 2025 Fellowship goals.
• Develop a group project and design draft policy and advocacy goals.
• Assist the Program Director with research needs focused on the 2025 Fellowship goals.