The Next Door Project, run by Community Service Society (CSS), trains older adult volunteers to help people with conviction histories request, read, and repair their NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services rap sheets (and FBI rap sheets, if they have arrests from outside New York State). Next Door Project counselors also help individuals apply for Certificates of Good Conduct or Certificates of Relief from Disabilities, which provide presumptive evidence of rehabilitation and overcome numerous statutory barriers to employment and licensure. 

CSS estimates that nearly 30 percent of official New York State criminal records contain at least one error. Fixing these errors—and getting a complete understanding of the corrected criminal record—can help open doors to employment, housing, and stability that had previously been closed.

WHO DOES THIS PROGRAM AIM TO SERVE? Individuals with conviction histories.

HAS THE NEXT DOOR PROJECT BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19? Yes. Due to COVID-19, Next Door Project rap sheet intake is postponed until safe to resume. Next Door Project will continue to answer questions via their hotline ((212) 614-5441) regarding conviction history-related employment, licensing or housing problem, etc. Other questions and concerns can be sent to Judith Whiting at telephone (212) 614-5323 or by email at jwhiting@cssny.org or Carlos Jesse, Director of the Next Door Project at (212) 614-5471 or by email at cjesse@cssny.org.