The Community Partnerships Division takes a multi-faceted approach to provide opportunities for individuals to make a positive contribution to Queens County so that crime is not their only option. This Division reaches out to civic and non-profit organizations, creates programs, sponsors events, and engages with every neighborhood throughout the Borough of Queens, reducing crime and increasing justice for all.
Civic Awareness Unit
The Civic Awareness Unit coordinates the Advisory Councils to the Queens District Attorney.
Additionally, the Civic Awareness Unit manages and operates all District Attorney sponsored events including gun buy-backs, warrant forgiveness programs, town halls, rallies and cultural celebration events. The Office of Immigrant Affairs is also part of the Civic Awareness Unit.
For more information, email CivicAwareness@queensda.org or call 718.286.6695.
Community Advisory Councils
The Civic Awareness Unit is managing the formation of Community Advisory Councils. These advisory groups are organized to enhance communications between the Office and the various communities that comprise the most diverse county in the United States. District Attorney Katz has created these councils to change the dynamic of community relations. The first time people interact with the Office of the District Attorney should not be during a time of crisis or tragedy. The District Attorney is determined to “open the doors” of the Office, invite the community in, hear their concerns, and ensure that communities are familiar with the Office.
Nearly 400 Queens residents from all walks of life have joined our Community Advisory Councils. Our Office will continue to form new advisory councils as the opportunities arise, including a Middle Eastern/North African Advisory Council in 2021. So far, each advisory council consists of approximately 45 members who will share information and observations, particularly about crimes that are underreported to the police because of language barriers or immigration concerns.
To date, the following nine individual advisory councils have held virtual organizational meetings to kick off the important work they are set to accomplish.
- African-American Advisory Council
- Clergy Advisory Council
- Pacific Asian Advisory Council
- Jewish Advisory Council
- Building Trades Labor Council
- Service Employees Labor Council
- Latino Advisory Council
- LGBTQ+ Advisory Council
- South Asian/Indo Caribbean Advisory Council
Gun Buy Back Program
DA Katz has been proactive in fighting back against the scourge of gun violence. A gun can never be un-fired and a life taken can never be restored. Our Office is working tirelessly to get guns off the street, and we have organized more than a dozen gun buy-back initiatives. To date, these gun buy-backs have taken more than 849 firearms off the street.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office and the New York Police Department (NYPD) co-hosted these gun buy back events across the borough with local community groups and churches, including the First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica, the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica and the Southern Baptist Church of East Elmhurst.
The funding for these events is provided by DA Katz and the NYPD.
These events are an effective tool to diminish access to operable guns and reduce gun violence. Many individuals turned in firearms, with no questions asked, and received a $200 bank card for each surrendered handgun. Every gun collected represents a potential tragedy averted.
Community Engagement Unit
The Community Engagement Unit is “boots on the ground” for the Office and serves as a conduit for important information to keep the Queens District Attorney’s Office acutely aware of issues as they arise in the Queens community.
For more information, email CommunityEngagement@queensda.org or call 718.286.6764.
Community Response Team Unit
Community Response Team Unit consists of ADAs and staff assigned to specific geographic areas corresponding to community districts and precincts.
Office of Immigrant Affairs
For those who have been a victim of a crime, a scam, or illegal exploitation, there is a pathway to seek justice - without regard to one’s immigration status.
The Office of Immigration Affairs (OIA) works diligently with immigrants and international visitors to ensure they understand the legal system and their rights. Through education, outreach, and advocacy OIA defends the diversity and safety of the Queens’ immigrant community by protecting every person, regardless of their status.
If you are an immigrant and have been a victim of a crime, you may qualify for a visa protecting you from retaliation and giving you a right to legally live and work while you seek a green card.
More than 30 languages are spoken by the QDA/OIA staff - including English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Vietnamese.
For more information, email OIA@queensda.org or call 718.286.6690. If you do not speak English, please say the language that you are most comfortable using and leave a message (in that language) with your name and phone number. Someone from OIA will respond to support you in the language you understand.
Youth Empowerment Unit
The Youth Empowerment Unit reaches hundreds of youth on an ongoing basis, creating an opportunity to teach young people to think critically and communicate respectfully. They also provide opportunities for students to increase their knowledge and awareness of the law and legal issues. The Youth Empowerment team has several programs.
For more information, email YouthEmpowerment@queensda.org or call 718.286.6400.
Legal Explorers Program
The Legal Explorers Program trains a new generation of prosecutors, defense lawyers, judges, police officers and other criminal justice professionals. The program is designed to educate high school students about the legal system and various careers within law and law enforcement.
Mock Trial Competition
The unit works with the New York State Bar Association to administer the high school Mock Trial Competition each year. The Bar Association creates case materials which are distributed to participating schools. The unit works with court staff to provide courtrooms for the competition and also recruits attorneys to preside as judges over the proceedings.
HOPE AND LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (HLA)
The Hope and Leadership Academy (HLA) is a comprehensive educational program for middle and high school students, supported by the Queens District Attorney’s Office, the NYPD Options program, and additional partner agencies. HLA provides structured instruction that promotes positive decision‑making, leadership development, and informed civic engagement. Through courtroom visits and professional presentations, students gain practical insight into the justice system and receive guidance on conflict resolution, social responsibility, and future career pathways. Topics include Cyberbullying Prevention, Internet Safety Protocols, Hate Crimes Awareness and Prevention, Fentanyl Poisoning and Overdose Awareness, Gang and Gun Violence Prevention, Human Trafficking Awareness, among other critical issues affecting youth today. For more information about this opportunity, please contact the Youth Empowerment Unit at youthempowerment@queensda.org or 718‑286‑6400.
QDA SUMMER LEADERSHIP INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The QDA Summer Leadership Program is a six‑week paid internship designed to provide Queens youth with essential professional and leadership skills while introducing them to careers in law enforcement and public service. Through interactive workshops, agency presentations, and community‑based activities, participants build practical experience in communication, teamwork, critical thinking, problem‑solving, and civic engagement. The program helps interns strengthen decision‑making abilities, develop workplace professionalism, build self‑confidence, and gain a deeper understanding of how the justice sector operates. Eligible applicants must be Queens residents, high school or college students, and able to commit to the full six‑week program schedule. Eligible applicants must be 15–17 years old and have a connection to Queens—either by living in the borough or by currently attending, or having recently graduated from, a Queens high school. For more information, please contact the Youth Empowerment Unit at youthempowerment@queensda.org or 718‑286‑6400.
STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC)
The Student Advisory Council is a program designed to engage students and staff in meaningful dialogue about how legal issues impact young people’s lives. The Advisory Council brings together students from diverse backgrounds and schools across Queens to discuss topics related to the law, examine personal biases, and participate in thoughtful, civil discourse. Through these conversations, the program fosters mutual understanding, encourages critical thinking, and strengthens connections between youth and the justice system. For more information about the Student Advisory Council, please contact the Youth Empowerment Unit at youthempowerment@queensda.org or 718‑286‑6400.
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ENGAGEMENT (YEE) EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
The Youth Empowerment Unit connects with young people across Queens to help them understand the role of the District Attorney’s Office and how its work impacts their communities. Through youth-centered outreach events, QDA staff engage participants in conversations about career options, mentorship opportunities, and the importance of making positive choices, as well as the lasting consequences of harmful decisions. The team also collaborates with school administrators, teachers, coaches, and community and faith leaders to expand engagement and strengthen access to youth throughout Queens County. These outreach opportunities allow participants to connect with QDA staff through sports activities, giveaways, tabling, and other informal community events. To learn more about Youth Empowerment Engagement opportunities, please contact the Youth Empowerment Unit at youthempowerment@queensda.org or 718‑286‑6400.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Saturday Night Lights provides free, high‑quality recreational programming for youth across Queens every Saturday evening, with sessions from 5–7 p.m. for ages 11–14 and from 7–9 p.m. for ages 15–18. Supported by the Queens District Attorney’s Office, the NYPD, and the Department of Youth and Community Development, the program promotes youth development, community connection, and violence prevention through structured and engaging activities. Citywide, Saturday Night Lights operates more than 100 programs across NYPD precincts, ensuring young people have safe, supervised spaces during weekend evening hours. In Queens, 23 sites across multiple precincts offer accessible recreational opportunities that help youth stay active, build skills, and engage with positive mentors within their communities.
To find a Saturday Night Lights location near you, please visit the SNL site directory clicking the following LINK or at:
https://saturdaynightlights.cityofnewyork.us/locations/