The Center for Community Justice

What The Center for Community Justice does

The Center for Community Justice (CCJ) is a Schenectady, New York-based non-profit charitable organization founded in August 1973 (originally as The Law, Order & Justice Center) that delivers community-based justice programs across New York's Capital Region. CCJ operates five core services: (1) the Legal Hand Call-In Center, a virtual hotline staffed by trained community volunteers providing free civil legal information and referrals in employment, housing, family, immigration, domestic violence, and benefits matters across 11 counties; (2) the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, in which court-appointed volunteer advocates represent the interests of children in abuse and neglect Family Court proceedings; (3) a Community Service Program offering an alternative-to-incarceration pathway through placement at government, non-profit, and business worksites; (4) the Schenectady County Re-Entry Task Force, providing case planning, cognitive behavioral interventions, and workforce development for approximately 150 formerly incarcerated individuals per year through employer partnerships with Home Depot and Price Chopper; and (5) free Notary Public services at its 144 Barrett Street office.

CCJ's service delivery model is volunteer-intensive with professional staff supervision, supported by a curated legal-information database supplied through its core partnership with Legal Hand, Inc. (established January 2022). The organization does not build proprietary technology; its infrastructure consists of standard office systems, a website (theccj.org), a Facebook page, and email newsletters for outreach, with no native mobile app, API, or AI/ML components disclosed. Distribution is multi-channel: in-person at the Schenectady headquarters, virtual via the Legal Hand call-in center, court-based through CASA appointments, and worksite-based through the community service program.

CCJ's revenue model is charitable: nearly 90% of income flows to direct program work, funded by individual donations (one-time and recurring), government grants, and visible foundation/corporate sponsorship (United Way, NY Bar Foundation, Schenectady Foundation, Stewart's). All beneficiary services are provided free of charge; the only potential fee is a registration charge for adult community-service participants. The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors led by President Andrew Healey, with no parent company or private-equity backing, and operates as a private non-profit entity without public ticker or disclosed financials.

Name

The Center for Community Justice

Legal name

The Center for Community Justice

Website

https://theccj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Center for Community Justice is a Schenectady, New York-based non-profit founded in 1973 that delivers free community-based justice services — including legal information hotlines, child advocacy, community service, and reentry programs — to residents across 11 Capital Region counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Justice Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Parole Offices and Probation Offices (92215), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN), Community Corrections (Probation, Parole & Reentry) (BPAIAFAE), Juvenile Justice System (Courts & Detention) (BPAIAFAF), Victim Services & Witness Assistance (Justice System) (BPAIAFAJ)

Keywords

• Community justice services
• Civil legal assistance
• Court advocacy programs
• Reentry support services
• Nonprofit legal aid

Headquarters

HQ city

Schenectady

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: CCJ is a non-profit charitable organization that relies on private and public support. The website emphasizes donation options including online donations and recurring donations. Nearly 90% of CCJ's income goes to direct program work.
2. Government Grants and Public Funding: Public support and government funding are mentioned as part of the funding mix for this community-based organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Center for Community Justice delivers free community-based justice programs to Capital Region residents: a Legal Hand Call-In Center providing free civil legal information and referrals by phone/text/email/chat; CASA volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children in Family Court; a Community Service Program offering an alternative to incarceration; the Schenectady County Reentry Task Force serving formerly incarcerated individuals; and free Notary Public services. Programs are volunteer-driven under professional staff supervision, with no eligibility requirements for Legal Hand services.

Product overview

The Center for Community Justice is a non-profit organization offering community-based justice programs including Legal Hand Call-In Center (free civil legal assistance via trained volunteers), CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused children), Community Service Program (alternative to incarceration), Schenectady County Reentry Task Force (services for returning citizens), and free Notary Public services. These programs work together to provide peaceful resolutions, accountability, and access to justice for Capital Region residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Legal Hand: A free civil legal assistance call-in center providing information, assistance, and referrals for issues in employment, housing, family, immigration, domestic violence, and benefits.
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
• Community Service Program

Products and services

• Legal Hand Call-In Center Free civil legal information, assistance, and referrals provided by trained community volunteers under staff supervision. Available by phone (518-400-5544), text, email ([email protected]), chat, and virtual meetings. Covers employment, housing, family, immigration, domestic violence, and benefits. No eligibility requirements; all are welcome. Serves 11 Capital Region counties.
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Court Appointed Special Advocates who represent the best interests of children victimized by abuse and neglect in Family Court proceedings. Volunteers complete 30 hours of training plus courtroom observation before being assigned cases by Family Court Judges. Volunteers visit children, observe their situations, and advocate for social services, mental health services, and educational services.
• Community Service Program Alternative to incarceration allowing offenders to repay the community through service at government, business, or non-profit worksites. Partners include Schenectady County Recycling Facility, Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority, SICM food pantry, Vale Cemetery, Schoharie County Animal Shelter, churches, and Boys and Girls Club. Registration fee may apply for those over 18.
• Schenectady County Reentry Task Force (SCRTF) Serves approximately 150 individuals per year with reentry services including case planning, case management, cognitive behavioral interventions, and workforce development. Uses Ready Set Work! curriculum certified by NYS DCJS and NIC. Employer partners include Home Depot and Price Chopper (Market 32). Agency partners include SCAP and Schenectady Probation. Approximately 1,800 people served since 2009.
• Notary Public Services Free notarial services offered to the community at 144 Barrett St., Schenectady, NY. Requires appointment, valid photo ID, and original unsigned documents.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of Legal Hand visitors report the service helped them resolve their problem or get closer to a resolution
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Legal Hand, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 January 2022CCJ launched the Legal Hand Call-In Center in partnership with Legal Hand, Inc. in January 2022. This innovative collaboration offers residents of the Capital Region free legal information, resources, and referrals. Legal Hand, Inc. provides the comprehensive database and training that enables CCJ volunteers to deliver services.
• Home DepotsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployer partner for the Schenectady County Reentry Task Force workforce development program. Provides job opportunities for individuals reentering society after incarceration.
• Price Chopper (Market 32)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployer partner for the Schenectady County Reentry Task Force. Provides employment opportunities for individuals in the reentry program.
• SCAP (Schenectady County Action Program)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgency partner in the Schenectady County Reentry Task Force helping individuals with job placement and support services.
• Schenectady ProbationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency partner in the Reentry Task Force providing oversight and coordination for offender reentry programs.
• Virginia Association of Criminal Justice Educators (VACJE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the Crime Films of the 1970s event at McChesney Room of Schenectady Public Library. Joint educational programming on criminal justice topics.
• Public Utility Law Project (PULP)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates Know Your Utility Rights workshop through Legal Hand programming. Provides attorneys to educate residents about utility rights.
• New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates Estate Planning Essentials Workshop and Understanding Special Education workshop through Legal Hand. Provides legal expertise for community education.
• Pace Women's Justice CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates New York State Family Law and Legal Processes for Victims/Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence workshop. Provides specialized legal guidance for domestic violence survivors.
• Westchester County Bar AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitates Release from Detention: A Comprehensive look at the Bond Process workshop. Provides attorneys to educate on bond/bail processes.
• Proctors TheatersupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for the Raise Your Voice annual vocal competition fundraiser benefiting CASA of the Capital Region.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• LawHelpNY: Statewide non-profit online portal connecting low-income New Yorkers with free legal aid and self-help resources. Comparable to CCJ's Legal Hand in providing legal information and referrals, but operates as a digital incumbent at a larger scale.
• Legal Aid Society: Large, established New York legal services non-profit providing comprehensive civil and criminal legal aid. A broader incumbent serving overlapping populations and practice areas as CCJ's Legal Hand, with much greater scale and geographic reach.

Direct peers

• The Fortune Society: New York-based non-profit providing reentry services, alternatives to incarceration, and workforce development for justice-involved individuals. Highly comparable to CCJ's Schenectady County Reentry Task Force and Community Service Program in mission, model, and population served.
• Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS): New York non-profit mobilizing volunteer lawyers to deliver free legal services to underserved communities. Highly comparable to CCJ's Legal Hand volunteer-driven legal information and referral model.
• Center for Community Alternatives: New York-based non-profit delivering alternatives-to-incarceration, reentry support, and youth justice programs. Closely comparable to CCJ's Community Service Program and Reentry Task Force in both model and target population.
• Center for Justice Innovation: Non-profit that builds and operates pilot programs in courts and communities across the U.S., with direct overlap to CCJ's CASA, community service, and community-justice programs. Both organizations work at the intersection of courts and community-based service delivery.
• New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): Large NYC-based non-profit providing free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers across housing, family, immigration, and public benefits. Direct peer to CCJ's Legal Hand Call-In Center; NYLAG is also a documented CCJ workshop partner.
• Osborne Association: New York non-profit providing reentry, family services, alternatives to incarceration, and youth justice programming. Direct peer in reentry services and community justice work targeting the same populations CCJ serves.

Regional players

• Pace Women's Justice Center: Non-profit legal center providing free legal services and advocacy for victims of domestic violence and underserved populations in the Hudson Valley/NYC region. Comparable to CCJ's Legal Hand family-law and DV content areas; documented CCJ workshop partner.
• Public Utility Law Project (PULP): New York State non-profit providing legal advocacy, training, and resources on utility and energy issues to low-income consumers. Adjacent peer that delivers educational legal programming (Know Your Utility Rights workshops) through CCJ's Legal Hand platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheCenterForCommunityJustice

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Center for Community Justice