There are several programs in the Station Area that provide youth with shelter and support services. These include Louis Nine House, Chelsea Foyer, The Door, and the Ali Forney Center. These programs are designed for youth ages 16 to 20. The programs offer shelter and support services for up to 120 days. To find out more about these programs, visit a drop-in center, call 311 or request a referral.
Louis Nine House
Louis Nine House is a Bronx-based organization that provides affordable housing for youth with mental health issues. The organization also offers case management services and on-site psychiatric care. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive vocational and educational program called OPTIONS. Youth can also receive guidance from a counselor or counselors.
Chelsea Foyer
The Chelsea Foyer program is based on a model used in Europe and offers supported housing and job training for 40 young adults. Throughout the 18 to 24 month program, participants live in semi-independent studio apartments or suites and receive holistically integrated services. Staff evaluate their work experience and screen for mental health issues to ensure they are ready to enter the workforce.
The Door
The Door Youth Housing in the Station Area is a social housing complex that helps homeless and disconnected youth achieve stability and self-sufficiency. Its tenants benefit from basic needs care, including food pantry bags, prepared to-go meals, and clothing. Tenants can also access individualized support and education services.
Ali Forney Center
The Ali Forney Center is a nonprofit organization that helps homeless LGBTQ youth. It provides housing and advocacy services. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM and on weekends, 10 AM to 6 PM. Founded in 2002, the Center is the largest organization in the nation dedicated to LGBT youth homelessness. It is on track to operate 89 beds in New York by Thanksgiving.
The Lee
The Lee, located at the corner of Houston Street and Pitt Street on the Lower East Side, is a 12-story building that blends in seamlessly with its dynamic neighborhood. The facility serves 55 young adults at risk of homelessness and those with special needs. It also offers housing for low-income workers in the area.
Staff shortages in detention housing
In Maine, the state’s only youth prison is experiencing a severe staffing shortage. This means that young men and women are often locked in cells for long hours during the day, and they’re not supervised by trained staff. In addition, they’re deprived of the opportunity to attend school or take advantage of other programs and services. As a result, there’s growing concern about the long-term effects of isolation on youth.