Rebuilding the South Bronx, together.
Since 1994, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice has organized neighbors in Bronx River and Soundview to reclaim our river, parks and streets, and to build lasting power.
1994
Founded by Bronx River native Alexie Torres-Fleming
7 acres
Reclaimed from industry to create Concrete Plant Park
40+
Submerged cars pulled out of the Bronx River
37,500
Square feet beneath the Bruckner becoming the Soundview Economic Hub
Our work
We rebuild the neighborhoods of Bronx River and Soundview through political education, spiritual formation, youth development, and community development and organizing.
Capital campaign
Help bring the Soundview Economic Hub to life
YMPJ is raising $150,000 to turn underused space beneath the Bruckner Expressway into a year-round economic hub for Soundview, planned with the community from the start.
A recurring flea market
Ten vendor stalls for local businesses
A community food kiosk
Guided by a prophetic faith, we work to transform both the people and the physical infrastructure of South Bronx neighborhoods, and to change the systems that hold them back.
Read our 12 principles →
Thirty years on the Bronx River
What began as prayer marches outside local drug houses grew into decades of organizing that changed the river, the parks and the streets around it.
1994
Alexie Torres-Fleming, raised in the Bronx River Houses, founds YMPJ after a rally against local drug houses draws 1,200 neighbors.
2000s
Youth volunteers paddle the river and work with city and federal agencies to pull out thousands of tires and more than 40 submerged cars.
2009
Concrete Plant Park opens on seven reclaimed acres. A year later it wins a National Park Service design award.
2017
The Bronx River Foodway at Concrete Plant Park becomes New York City’s first public food forest.
2023
The C.O.R.E. Family Enrichment Center opens its doors with free programs for families.
2024
Neighbors use the Soundview Economic Hub space under the Bruckner Expressway for the first time.
News from the neighborhood
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SUMMER 2024: Call to Artists!
WE ARE SEEKING BRONX ARTISTS TO HELP US CREATE THE BRONX’S NEWEST PUBLIC SPACE: THE SOUNDVIEW ECONOMIC HUB! UPDATE: THANK YOU TO…
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We are seeking proposals for an upcoming Brownfield Opportunity Area Nomination Study of our South Bronx Neighborhood!
YMPJ is currently seeking proposals from environmental, planning, and other consultants to assist us in an over 56-acre New York State Department of State…
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We Are All YMPJ!
Transformation of Our South Bronx Community is Happening Because of YOU! We are celebrating an amazing year of progress and we are…
There is a place for you in this work.
Volunteer, join a campaign, or bring your family to The C.O.R.E. Every neighbor makes the movement stronger.