Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice

What Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice does

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 by Alexie Torres-Fleming and headquartered at 1384 Stratford Avenue in the Bronx, New York. The organization serves residents of the Bronx River, Soundview, and Bruckner neighborhoods of the South Bronx through a four-pillar program portfolio: community development (most notably the Soundview Economic Hub, a 37,500 sq ft activation under the Bruckner Expressway, plus Morrison Plaza, Commercial Revitalization, and brownfield planning), community organizing (COLA leadership academy, Bronxwide Plan, Arts for Activism), direct services (BIA-accredited immigration services, free tax preparation via ARIVA, fitness/recreation, food workshops, and Teen Battle Chef), and family support (The C.O.R.E. Family Enrichment Center operated in partnership with NYC Administration for Children's Services since 2023). YMPJ also has a 30+ year track record of environmental justice and infrastructure redevelopment, including the transformation of Concrete Plant Park (a national award-winning park) and Starlight Park.

YMPJ has no proprietary technology platform or software product; its core operating model is community-based organizing augmented by physical infrastructure. Revenue is generated through donations, fundraising campaigns (including a $150,000 capital campaign for the Soundview Economic Hub), government grants and contracts (NYC ACS, NYS Department of State), and financial partnerships (NYC Change Capital Fund, NY Small Business Funders Collective). All direct services to community members are provided free of charge. The organization reaches residents through neighborhood events, door-to-door organizing, coalition building, organic social media (Facebook, X, Instagram), and earned media coverage in outlets such as the New York Times.

Distribution is conducted through three physical anchors: YMPJ Headquarters on Stratford Avenue, The C.O.R.E. Family Enrichment Center on Manor Avenue, and the Soundview Economic Hub beneath the Bruckner Expressway. The organization's competitive position rests on multi-decade community trust, regulatory credentials (BIA accreditation, ACS contract authority), and exclusive access to strategically located physical infrastructure, with a small staff (1-10) supported by a board chaired by Orlando Rodriguez and led by Executive Director David Shuffler.

Name

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice

Legal name

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, Inc.

Website

https://ympj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice is a Bronx-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1994 that delivers community development, youth organizing, immigration services, and family support programs to South Bronx residents through the Soundview Economic Hub, The C.O.R.E. Family Enrichment Center, and grassroots partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Youth organizing programs
• Immigration legal services
• Economic development initiatives
• Nonprofit community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bronx

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: YMPJ generates revenue through individual donations, corporate donations, and fundraising campaigns including seasonal giving campaigns and the Soundview Economic Hub capital campaign ($150,000 goal).
2. Government Grants and Contracts: YMPJ receives funding from government sources including NYC Administration for Children's Services for Family Enrichment Center operations, and New York State Department of State for Brownfield Opportunity Area studies.
3. Partner Funding: Funding from foundations and community development financial partners including NYC Change Capital Fund and NY Small Business Funders Collective for specific community development projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that delivers free direct services and community development programming to South Bronx residents. Offerings include immigration legal services (BIA-accredited), tax preparation, youth leadership and arts programs, fitness and food workshops, the C.O.R.E. Family Enrichment Center, and large-scale community development projects such as the Soundview Economic Hub, Morrison Plaza Open Market, brownfield remediation, and the Commercial Revitalization Initiative.

Product overview

Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ) is a community-based organization offering a diverse portfolio of programs organized around four main pillars: Community Development (including the Soundview Economic Hub as the flagship initiative, Morrison Plaza and Open Market, Commercial Revitalization, and Brownfield Program), Community Organizing (including the Center for Youth and Community Organizing with its COLA training program, the Bronxwide Plan, and Arts for Activism), Services (Immigration Services, Tax Services, and Fitness & Recreation), and Family Support (The C.O.R.E. Family Enrichment Center). The organization also focuses on environmental justice initiatives including the revitalization of Starlight Park and Concrete Plant Park. The Soundview Economic Hub serves as the primary economic development engine, while The C.O.R.E. provides intergenerational family programming, and the various community organizing programs build grassroots leadership for social justice advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The C.O.R.E. Family Enrichment Center - a community-led family center offering free intergenerational and community building programming, operated by YMPJ and launched in 2023 in partnership with NYC Administration for Children's Services.

Products and services

• Soundview Economic Hub A long-term, community-driven initiative transforming 37,500 square feet of vacant space under the Bruckner Expressway into a vibrant economic hub for local entrepreneurship, job training, business incubation, and intergenerational programming. Targets local entrepreneurs, vendors, and Bronx River/Soundview residents.
• The C.O.R.E. Family Enrichment Center A community-led Family Enrichment Center offering free intergenerational and community building programming for families and children in the Parkchester/Soundview area of the Bronx. Operated by YMPJ in partnership with NYC Administration for Children's Services.
• Immigration Services Free and confidential legal support for immigration including in-depth consultations, application filings, contact and representation before USCIS and the National Visa Center, and information and referral services provided by BIA-accredited representatives. Targets immigrants in the South Bronx.
• Tax Services Free tax preparation services and financial literacy education offered in partnership with ARIVA Tax Preparation, providing guidance on banking, budgeting, saving, credit, and debt solutions. Targets Bronx residents.
• Food Workshops and Teen Battle Chef Health and nutrition outreach through food workshops, cooking demonstrations, and the Teen Battle Chef youth culinary program teaching culinary skills, food systems awareness, and leadership for youth aged 14-18.
• Fitness and Recreation Fitness classes including low-intensity walks for seniors and people with reduced mobility, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and Zumba classes for Bronx River and Soundview residents.
• Commercial Revitalization Initiative A three-year commercial revitalization initiative as part of NYC Small Business Services Neighborhood 360 program, focused on Westchester Avenue and Southern Boulevard commercial corridors to support local businesses and stimulate economic activity.
• Community Organizing Leadership Academy (COLA) A training program for volunteer youth leaders that utilizes advocacy principles and collective action to address community issues and influence local government.
• Arts for Activism Programming Arts programming that includes drama, dance, music, visual arts, spoken word, film/video, and street theater to develop youth leadership and advance social justice campaigns.
• Morrison Plaza and Open Market A revitalized public plaza featuring an Open Market with farm stand, pop-up vending opportunities, seating area, learning space, and free WIFI for the community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Transformed Concrete Plant into national award-winning park (12+ acres)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• No Margin, No MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Consulting firm partnered with YMPJ to develop the Soundview Economic Hub project. The firm supports YMPJ's economic development initiatives and community-led redevelopment strategy.
• NYC Administration for Children's Services (ACS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022ACS selected YMPJ as the local community-based provider to host the Parkchester/Soundview Family Enrichment Center as part of NYC's FEC expansion plan.
• ARIVA Tax PreparationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMPJ partners with ARIVA to provide free tax preparation services to NYC residents as part of financial wellness support.
• Ennead LabminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead consultant for the Southern Boulevard BOA study, providing planning and environmental expertise.
• Steering Committee Partners (Loving the Bronx, WHEDco, Bronx River Alliance, NYC agencies)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSteering committee members guiding the Southern Boulevard BOA study including community organizations and NYC city agencies.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Urban Resource Institute (URI): NYC human services organization providing domestic violence services, housing, and workforce development. Comparable to YMPJ in social services delivery, government contracting model, and NYC-based multi-program community organization structure.
• Phipps Neighborhoods: Bronx-based community organization providing early childhood, education, workforce, and community development programs. Comparable to YMPJ in NYC community-based multi-program structure, educational services, and youth/family orientation, though focused on different Bronx neighborhoods.
• The Point CDC: Hunts Point, Bronx-based community development organization providing youth development, arts, and economic development programs. Shares YMPJ's community-organizing roots, youth development focus, and South Bronx geography, with a similar approach to activating underutilized community space.
• Make the Road New York: NYC community organization providing immigration legal services, community organizing, youth programs, and adult education. Direct peer to YMPJ in immigration services, DOJ accreditation status, and grassroots organizing model, with overlapping immigrant client base in the Bronx.
• BronxWorks: Large Bronx-based social services organization providing housing, workforce, education, and youth programs. Comparable to YMPJ in target population and service categories, though at significantly larger scale and broader geographic scope across the Bronx.
• Women's Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco): Bronx-based community development organization providing affordable housing, economic development, and youth/family services in the South Bronx. Directly comparable to YMPJ in geography, mission, and resident-focused community development model, and is also a partner on YMPJ's Southern Boulevard BOA Study.
• Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC): NYC community-based organization providing immigration legal services, community organizing, housing, and youth programs. Comparable to YMPJ in immigration services, organizing, and direct service model, though operating in Upper Manhattan rather than the Bronx.
• SoBRO (South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation): South Bronx-based economic and community development organization focused on commercial revitalization, small business support, and workforce development. Highly comparable to YMPJ's Soundview Economic Hub and Commercial Revitalization programs serving the same geography and very similar target populations.

Broad incumbents

• Children's Aid Society: Large NYC child and family services organization providing youth development, education, and family support programs. Comparable to YMPJ's youth serving programs and The C.O.R.E. Family Enrichment Center, though at much larger scale and broader NYC footprint.
• Henry Street Settlement: Long-established NYC social services organization offering youth programs, senior services, housing, and arts education. Similar to YMPJ in multi-program community service delivery and longevity, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader Lower East Side geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/officialympj
• Facebookfacebook.com/OfficialYMPJ
• Instagraminstagram.com/official.ympj
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youth-ministries-for-peace-and-justice-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice