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66%of juvenile offenders are rearrested within two years.
(CUNY, 2020) |
55%of deaths among Black older teens are caused by guns.
(CDC, 2022) |
68%increase in psychiatric disorders for youth survivors of gun violence.
(HealthAffairs, 2023) |
Who We Are
Incredible Credible Messengers, Inc. (ICM) is the only NYC-based organization dedicated to normalizing restorative practices as both a lifestyle and standard approach for violence interruption, youth leadership development, and community building. By leveraging the power of relationships, ICM fosters individual growth and sustainable community transformation. Through a phased approach, ICM introduces Tier I restorative practices to cultivate positive environments and provide basic training, and then progressively equips youth with advanced Tier II and III skills for mediation, advocacy, and systemic change through experiential learning.
Since 2017, ICM has conducted comprehensive peacemaking, placemaking, and placekeeping efforts throughout NYC’s public spaces. Youth participants are activated to lead outreach, advocacy, and social impact projects while hosting events that promote nonviolence and social equity. ICM’s innovative programs—Purposeful Partnership Program (PPP), Incredible Warrior Ambassadors (IWA), SELF-Construction, and the Alumni Program & Youth Advisory Board (YAB)—focus on restorative justice, essential skills development, grassroots organizing, and community mobilization. Complementing these initiatives are services such as training and professional development workshops, parent and caregiver coaching, support groups, and consulting for schools, agencies, and corporations. These mission-aligned efforts allow ICM to foster healing, inspire community leaders, and transform lives through a commitment to trust, accountability, and collective growth.
Since 2017, ICM has conducted comprehensive peacemaking, placemaking, and placekeeping efforts throughout NYC’s public spaces. Youth participants are activated to lead outreach, advocacy, and social impact projects while hosting events that promote nonviolence and social equity. ICM’s innovative programs—Purposeful Partnership Program (PPP), Incredible Warrior Ambassadors (IWA), SELF-Construction, and the Alumni Program & Youth Advisory Board (YAB)—focus on restorative justice, essential skills development, grassroots organizing, and community mobilization. Complementing these initiatives are services such as training and professional development workshops, parent and caregiver coaching, support groups, and consulting for schools, agencies, and corporations. These mission-aligned efforts allow ICM to foster healing, inspire community leaders, and transform lives through a commitment to trust, accountability, and collective growth.
History
ICM's inception stemmed from a course that ICM’s founder, Ms. Jackson took while attending the Institute for Transformative Mentoring, based at The New School. She and her colleagues, who were employed as credible messengers, were challenged to dig deep within to identify their traumas, and then brainstorm how to provide more effective, trauma-informed reentry services in their work. Recognizing the inadequacy of services offered elsewhere – especially when delivered by individuals without lived experience in the justice system – the founders aimed to address the challenges faced by returning community members. This endeavor was motivated by a desire to prevent re-traumatization from mirroring dynamics experienced during incarceration.
ICM was founded by Tyisha Jackson, Steve Exantus, and former business partners in July 2017 and was granted its official 501(c)3 status on December 28, 2017. All founders have firsthand, lived experience with the criminal justice system and are trained in restorative practices including restorative justice, relationship restoration, and trauma-responsive care. In early years, ICM leadership and volunteer staff leveraged their expertise to engage resident leaders, local decision makers, and other community stakeholders to advocate for essential support and healing-based resources that benefit vulnerable families, communities, and returning citizens. The executive team comprises professionals well-versed in the nexus between personalized support networks and recidivism. Drawing on their diverse backgrounds, education, and personal experiences, ICM team members help participants navigate complex personal, social, and economic barriers to healthy and safe dynamics to overcome internal, family, and neighborhood discord.
Currently, ICM is focused on serving youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, and ensuring their stakeholders are positioned to support their growth. We understand the importance of youth healing and development, as well as the positive changes that they create as leaders. At ICM, our youth participants lead the charge with grassroots advocacy, community organizing, youth mobilization, and recruiting efforts. They are highly effective in generating positive outcomes when they are nurtured, supported, and equipped with resources because they have the freedom to operate from a safe, secure, and whole internal space.
ICM was founded by Tyisha Jackson, Steve Exantus, and former business partners in July 2017 and was granted its official 501(c)3 status on December 28, 2017. All founders have firsthand, lived experience with the criminal justice system and are trained in restorative practices including restorative justice, relationship restoration, and trauma-responsive care. In early years, ICM leadership and volunteer staff leveraged their expertise to engage resident leaders, local decision makers, and other community stakeholders to advocate for essential support and healing-based resources that benefit vulnerable families, communities, and returning citizens. The executive team comprises professionals well-versed in the nexus between personalized support networks and recidivism. Drawing on their diverse backgrounds, education, and personal experiences, ICM team members help participants navigate complex personal, social, and economic barriers to healthy and safe dynamics to overcome internal, family, and neighborhood discord.
Currently, ICM is focused on serving youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, and ensuring their stakeholders are positioned to support their growth. We understand the importance of youth healing and development, as well as the positive changes that they create as leaders. At ICM, our youth participants lead the charge with grassroots advocacy, community organizing, youth mobilization, and recruiting efforts. They are highly effective in generating positive outcomes when they are nurtured, supported, and equipped with resources because they have the freedom to operate from a safe, secure, and whole internal space.
"There’s more to it than just another program, I've
never been to another program that talks about
feelings like this... you basically have a second family."
- ICM PARTICIPANT, 19
Meet Our Incredible Experts
Tyisha Jackson
Founder and Executive Director
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Tyisha Jackson, the Executive Director for Incredible Credible Messengers, is creating, directing and facilitating programs for our youth. She served two years in prison and as a returning citizen, she struggled to get employment, housing, education, and parenting support. Instead of remaining a victim to her circumstances, Ty decided to be the change that she and so many other vulnerable individuals, families, and communities desperately needed.
Tyisha is a fearless, dedicated, and purpose-driven leader. Her experience has led her to guide a team of Credible Messengers who will support, educate, and restore individual, family, and community dynamics through peer support, advocacy, and programming. Tyisha received a certification from the Institute for Transformative Mentoring based at The New School, where she learned best practices in trauma-informed care and officially started her journey as a lifelong restorative justice practitioner. |
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STEVE EXANTUS, LMHC
Treasurer
Treasurer
Steve Exantus is a Mental Health Counselor and received his degree from Hofstra University. He worked as an intern with Seafield Services an outpatient substance facility located in Mineola, NY for eight months. In addition, he has worked for the NYC Department of Probation Juvenile Division as a Clinical Advisor for the past three years. His role included providing mental health referrals to outpatient, inpatient, and residential treatment centers for adolescents. Steve collaborated with Probation Officers as a consultant on cases that involved complex behavioral and mental health concerns for clients.
Steve Exantus’ greatest passion is assisting others as they navigate their journey and helping them fulfill their goals. The clients he worked with have multiple DSM diagnoses and his goals with them included promoting an atmosphere of hope, primarily through a CBT framework and Solution Focused Therapy. Currently, Steve works for The Bridge on a Forensic, Assertive, Community, Treatment (FACT) Team, which provides home and community-based mental health services for individuals with severe mental health diagnoses. Steve strives to work with people to help eliminate the stigma attached to mental health services. Many people feel that therapy does not work, and do not want to be labeled. However, once a trusting relationship is developed with the right person they can make great strides towards completing their personal goals.
Steve Exantus’ greatest passion is assisting others as they navigate their journey and helping them fulfill their goals. The clients he worked with have multiple DSM diagnoses and his goals with them included promoting an atmosphere of hope, primarily through a CBT framework and Solution Focused Therapy. Currently, Steve works for The Bridge on a Forensic, Assertive, Community, Treatment (FACT) Team, which provides home and community-based mental health services for individuals with severe mental health diagnoses. Steve strives to work with people to help eliminate the stigma attached to mental health services. Many people feel that therapy does not work, and do not want to be labeled. However, once a trusting relationship is developed with the right person they can make great strides towards completing their personal goals.
MARY ASTRID NUSSBAUMER
Program Assistant / Outreach Coordinator
Mary Astrid joined ICM in the fall of 2024 to support development, programming, media and outreach for our organization. She is a dedicated advocate with extensive experience in outreach, restorative principles and social justice. Her past work has focused on supporting marginalized communities, particularly individuals navigating housing insecurity and systemic barriers. Mary Astrid has worked at organizations such as the Fortune Society in NYC on their Housing Discrimination Initiative for justice-involved indivuals, community organizing in the Navajo Nation, on a grassroots congressional campaign in Colorado and conducting social science research for various organizations. While at Colorado College, she established the first local organization of its kind on campus focused on inclusivity, antiracism and community engagement, which integrated restorative practices into its mission.
Program Assistant / Outreach Coordinator
Mary Astrid joined ICM in the fall of 2024 to support development, programming, media and outreach for our organization. She is a dedicated advocate with extensive experience in outreach, restorative principles and social justice. Her past work has focused on supporting marginalized communities, particularly individuals navigating housing insecurity and systemic barriers. Mary Astrid has worked at organizations such as the Fortune Society in NYC on their Housing Discrimination Initiative for justice-involved indivuals, community organizing in the Navajo Nation, on a grassroots congressional campaign in Colorado and conducting social science research for various organizations. While at Colorado College, she established the first local organization of its kind on campus focused on inclusivity, antiracism and community engagement, which integrated restorative practices into its mission.
Our Supporters & Partners
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"I love how she helps us heal from what we've been through... In our groups we usually talk about gun violence, how
we can solve it, and how we can help our community,
learning how to do new things and have new
experiences, doing things I wouldn't normally do."
