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Families belong together

We defend the rights of families in New York City, connect them to community resources, and advocate for policies that reduce harm to Black and Brown families.

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Two families, one a mother with children and the other a mother and father with young children

Our Services

Our free legal representation and social work services support more than 3,000 families in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island each year.

Family Defense

We provide the highest quality legal and social work services to parents facing an Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) investigation or prosecution to help keep their family together.

Youth Defense

We represent minors who have been arrested and advocate to avoid prosecution or incarceration so they can stay at home with their families and get the support they need.

We also offer the following holistic services to support our family and youth defense clients across a variety of interconnected legal systems that affect their Family Court case.

Housing & Public Benefits

Immigration Defense

Criminal Defense

Appeals

State Central Register Appeals

CFR Named a “Top Workplace” by City & State New York

CFR has been featured on City & State New York’s list of top workplaces for 2025. The list features 51 of the best places to work in the world of NY politics and policy, including governmental, nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

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A Nationally Recognized Model for Public Defense

Our groundbreaking model pairs each client with an attorney and a social worker, with support from a parent advocate who has been through the system themselves.

The family policing system tears Black and Brown families apart.

Decades of data and the powerful stories of our clients show that Black and Brown families are continually targeted by the “child welfare” system, or what we call the family policing system.

94%

of CFR’s clients are people of color, who experience more surveillance and higher rates of family separation.

45%

of Black and Latino children in New York City experience an ACS investigation before they turn 18 years old.

Source

10x

Black children are ten times more likely to enter the foster system than white or Asian children.

Source

Our Impact

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CFR staff standing outside the Worth St office

CFR: Over Two Decades of Keeping Families Together

Within this building are people who fight for families every single day and make sure that their voices are heard. -Teyora Graves-Ferrell, CFR Parent Advocate Director Watch Our Impact Video
CFR client stands outside with his CFR team

Aminullah's Story

The entire CFR staff treated me like family and did so much for me. With CFR's help, I got back on my feet and regained my hope...thank you CFR for your assistance! Watch Aminullah's Story
A CFR client family with their CFR team

Genesis' Story

I want to express my gratitude to the organization for believing in me, for their effort, for their support, for fighting for my rights, and for allowing me to be with my family, united and well. Watch Genesis' Story
CFR client and family with their team

Juan's Story

I didn't have the resources for someone to defend me, they wouldn't let me see my wife or children, I had no idea what I was going to face... I would like to thank the CFR team for welcoming me and guiding me through this process. Watch Juan's Story
CFR client standing outdoors with her CFR team

Jasmine's Story

I was separated from my children for five years. [CFR] helped me get my children back. I'm forever grateful for that. Watch Jasmine's Story

Featured News

CFR staff members standing together outdoors

Get Involved with CFR

Support our mission by donating your time through pro bono work, participating in one of our professional trainings, or attending a fundraising or community event.

CFR client standing outdoors with her CFR team

Support Our Work

Your donation helps us expand our services and support while we continue to defend thousands of Black and Brown families in New York City targeted by the family policing system.