Staten Island Resources
Education
At the Table
Long term tutoring and academic advising services for incoming and current college students who are part of NYC’s foster care system.
The City Tutors
No cost learning and career center for NYC residents who need individualized academic and professional services to build foundational skills necessary for today’s job market.
Fiver Children’s Foundation
Learn about Fiver that serves youth 10+ in underserved communities and includes programs such as one-on-one check-ins with assigned coaches, out of school programs to prepare for entry into middle school, high school, and college, and overnight summer camp located in Poolville, NY.
Good Shepherd Services
Supports NYC youth and families in underserved neighborhoods. Programs include after school and summer camps, college student and career success centers, high school and college prep, and access to community centers.
Inspiring Futures
Offers youth academic support partnering with foster care agencies in NYC and colleges in the tri-state area to provide mobile education support and college readiness.
Inspiring Minds
Offers after school program and and summer enrichment program for youth grades 9 through 12 providing individualized support and exposure to new experiences and opportunities.
College of Mount St Vincent Mott Street Scholarship Program
Mott Street Scholarship Program serves talented students who have persevered through foster care or homelessness and who are educationally and emotionally ready for college. The program provides financial resources and support to attend Mount Saint Vincent College for all four years.
Eligible for foster or homeless youth, academic proficiency and success.
NY State Dept of Education – Foster Youth College Success initiative (FYCSI)
Program established specifically for students who have experienced foster care or are orphaned. FYCSI funding can be used towards supporting the cost of attending college, including housing and meals.
Eligible for foster and orphaned youth
NY State Dept of Education – High School Equivalency (HSE)
Information about 4 pathways to earn a High School equivalency diploma.
Eligible for NYS residents
NYS Higher Education Services Corporation
Step-by-step planning tips to prepare for higher education. Tools, resources, and financial support for people in special circumstances such as youth in care, military, adult/returning, and transferring.
Eligible for NYS residents
NYU Community College Transfer Opportunity Program (CCTOP)
An assistance and scholarship program for students interested in transferring from partnership community colleges into NYU.
Eligible if enrolled at Community College in partnership with NYU, must be nominated by community college faculty member or administrator, 3.0 GPA.
Rezvan Foundation
Supports the academic pursuits of exceptionally talented young students who grew up orphaned or in foster care.
Eligible for foster or orphaned youth, US resident, enrolled in an accredited HS, GPA of 3.5 or higher, submitted applications to 1 or more four year accredited university, no academic or criminal disciplinary record.
Yleana Leadership Foundation
Provides Latinx and Black students with access to the best possible resources as they enter college to change their economic position and ability to accumulate wealth as adults.
Employment Assistance
Children’s Aid – Next Generation Center: Building the foundation for adulthood
Supports young people ages 14 to 24 to prepare for transition into adulthood and specifically supports needs of youth aging out of foster care including college access and job readiness . Program participants have access to Children’s Aid medical and dental services.
Eligible for youth ages 14 to 24 based in NYC.
Job Corps, US Department of Labor
Free career training and education in 120 campuses across the country free of charge to low income 16 to 24 year old young adults.
Complete application to get started.
Grow Your Own at Kennedy Children’s Center
6 week training program to become a NY State certified Teacher Assistant and help with job placement services to find a suitable position at early childhood providers throughout the city.
Eligible for HS graduate, at least 18 years old, legally eligible to work in US, pass NYC DOH background check, English proficient or able to pass ELA exam, apply on-line.
The Lantern Network
Offers mentorships, internships, and professional development throughout the United States designed to inspire, guide, and propel the next generation of Black leaders into their careers.
NYC Small Business Services
Free business services at Workforce 1 Career Centers to help and prepare New Yorkers to find employment. Services include interview preparation, training, resume writing, and employer connections.
Complete intake form to get started.
STRIVE New York – Prepared to Work, Determined to Succeed
Assists individuals from every borough, with focus on upper Manhattan and South Bronx, to connect opportunities to those who need them most. STRIVE is able to connect career path trainings to growing sectors such as construction and healthcare.
Employment and Training Administration, US Dept of Labor
Information about programs such as CareerOneStop, Apprenticeship Finder, Grants, and Resources for Veterans.
Eligible for US Residents
Health and Wellness
The Brave House
Offers therapy, wellness events, and a mobile app with crisis service contacts to young immigrant women and gender expansive youth ages 16 to 24.
Dayone
Youth through age 24 learn how to end dating abuse and domestic violent through preventive education, supportive services, legal advocacy, and leadership development. Materials and videos available on-line.
PO Box 3220, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008
FosterClub – Healthcare for Former Foster Youth
Health insurance and care information for youth who age out of the foster care system from ages 18 through 26. The are no income requirements for former foster youth. If age out of care in NY you do not need to apply. If did not age out of care in NY, need to apply for Medicaid online or by phone.
Eligible for former foster care young adults age 18 through 26.
Medicaid: (800) 541-2831
Inspiring Futures
Offers youth mental health services partnering with foster care agencies in NYC.
Medicaid
Medicaid assistance for low income New Yorkers. Informs about eligibility and available health care options.
NYC: (718) 557-1399
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Services to help with health related issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, or drug and alcohol use.
Eligible for US residents
NYS Department of Health, Insurance Marketplace
Health insurance options available through the individual marketplace.
Eligible for NYS Residents
NYS Office of Addiction Services and Support
Resources to help with alcohol, drug, and gambling issues.
NYS Office of Mental Health
Find a mental health service provider with focus on hope and recovery for adults with serious mental illnesses and children with emotional disturbances. Provides a directory of mental health facilities within the state.
Eligible for NYS Residents
Suicide Prevention: 988
NYS Domestic Violence: (800) 942-6906
Crisis Text Got5 to 741-741
Survivors of Sexual Abuse & Assault
Information and support for survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment.
Venture House
Helps adults who are living with mental illness achieve recovery through access to employment, education, affordable housing, and community engagement.
Housing
Apartment Search Checklist
Ten items every renter should look for to help in their apartment search.
The Door – Supportive Housing
Assists in providing housing to those who have recently aged out of foster care or faced with chronic homelessness.
The Lee: 133 Pitt St, New York, NY 10002
East 9th St.: 710 East 9th St, New York, NY 10009
NYC – Affordable Housing
Learn about NYC programs for renting or buying affordable apartments or homes.
NYC: 311
Outside NYC: 212-NEW-YORK
Text 311-692
NYC Housing Authority – NYCHA public and Section 8 housing application
Apply for NYCHA Public Housing and NYCHA Section 8, the Housing Choice Voucher Program based on income, family size and other criteria.
US Department of Urban Development – Local Public Housing Agencies (PHA)
View contact information for Public Housing Agencies in your state and city to assist with public housing programs eligibility and application process including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
US Department of Urban Development – Section 8 Fact Sheet
Learn about eligibility, rules, and how to apply for Section 8, known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which is the Federal Government’s program for assisting low income families, elderly, and disabled individuals in finding decent and safe housing in the private marketplace.
Legal Services
The Brave House
Provides legal services to young immigrant women and gender expansive youth ages 16 to 24.
Her Justice
Women who are living in poverty are provided free legal help as they seek safety, stability, and self sufficiency through New York’s civil justice system.
Legal Services NYC
Free legal representation, systemic advocacy and community education for low income borough residents. Each year, Legal Services represents and advises thousands of low income NYC residents facing crises with basic needs such as housing and tenant rights, family law and domestic violence, government benefits, employment law, civil rights , and education access.
Contact legal assistance hotline to begin intake process from 9:30am to 4:00pm.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
Assists NYC residents with free legal and financial counseling when facing economic, racial, and social injustice.
Survivors of Sexual Abuse & Assault
Information and support for survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment.
Mentoring
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America
Enroll a child ages 5 and up to be matched with a mentor to nurture future potential and interests.
Connections Mentor
Supportive mentoring relationships for young people who have or had contact with child welfare or juvenile justice systems in NYC and Westchester. Individuals are matched with mentors based on mutual interests, strengths, and needs for a minimum of a year.
Complete on-line form to get started.
Connections Mentor Inc, PO Box 361, NY, NY 10033
Money and Finance
Bank of America
FAQs (frequently asked questions) about how to apply for a bank account (checking, savings, etc.)
The Lantern Network – Budgeting Basics
Tools to create a budget to manage your money and make informed financial decisions.
Parenting/Family Support
Nurse Family Partnership
First-time moms are partnered with nurses though their child’s second birthday creating better futures for moms and babies.
Social Services
Barrier Free Living
Offers shelter to domestic violence survivors based in NYC and counseling to individuals across the nation and internationally.
The Center for Fair Futures
Youth led advocacy movement and coalition of 100+ organizations and foundations advocating for all young people in New York City’s foster care system from 6th grade though age 26. Fair Futures is a codified, comprehensive model centered around needs of young people. The model is implemented and scaled across 26 NYC care agencies and serves nearly 4000 youth.
Child Welfare Information Gateway – Resources for Youth Transitioning to Adulthood
Resources that can be used to learn about life skills, education, employment, finance, and other information to assist with transition out of foster care to independence. Outlines 21 steps to prepare for transition out of care that includes building a transition plan, securing a place to live, opening a bank account, health care coverage and more.
City Living NY: Empowering Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Offers monthly workshops and trainings with peer community around topics such as budgeting, nutrition, stress management, and self-care. Connects youth with City Living NY to provide needed household items to set-up their homes. Comprehensive Services Program focuses on establishing goals for educational, employment, and socio-emotional needs. Alumni Program provides continued support and contact when young adults are no longer eligible for the primary programs.
Eligible for young adults transitioning from foster care ages 18-26.
Clear Path NYC
Connects young adults phasing out of foster care with essential resources. Aids in identification and application to programs for a successful transition in accordance with needs. Resources include supportive housing, mental wellness services, food resources, academic support, workplace skills, and maps of public facilities and more.
Eligible for young adults transitioning from foster care and homeless young adults.
Domestic Violence Center – Urban Justice Center
Team of lawyers, advocates, and volunteers to support domestic abuse survivor needs in all 5 boroughs, as well as deliver community training and awareness.
The Door
Locations in the Bronx and Manhattan that provide basic services to homeless and runaway youth such as meals, showers, resting space, and help with supportive housing, benefits, and counseling.
Bronx: 2999 3rd Ave, 1st fl, Bronx, NY 10455 (open 24 hours)
Manhattan: 555 Broome St, New York, NY 10013
Good Shepherd Services
Serves NYC youth and families and provides a myriad of programs such as family counseling, health home care co-ordination, youth justice, foster care and adoption services, and youth residential services.
Growing Up NYC
Support from birth though age 24 through a range of programs including but not limited to childcare, homeless youth, health insurance, food, housing, and job training.
Lantern Community Services
One of NYC’s largest provider of supportive housing for young adults age 18 to 26 who recently aged out of foster care. Programs center around health and wellness, education and employment, nutrition and culinary arts, and arts, culture and fitness.
McCarton Foundation – Bronx Center
Provides treatment and therapies to children with developmental disabilities living in underserved NYC communities in their center located in the Bronx.
National Domestic Hotline
Confidential assistance in 200+ languages. Directory of assistance providers by state and legal assistance.
NYC Administration for Children’s Services – Planning for Your Future
Information and resources available to youth leaving foster care working in conjunction with case manager and foster agency for a successful transition.
Eligible for NYC Foster youth in transition
NYC Human Resources Administration – Benefits and Services
Access to NYC HRA Resources to provide essential economic and social services programs to families and individuals to fight poverty and income inequality. Assistance programs include but not limited to food, rental, career services, child care benefits, homelessness prevention, health, transportation, and domestic violence support.
Eligible for NYC residents, apply in HRA center location.
NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
Confidential 24/7 support in most languages. An advocate will help to empower and discuss options for help, financial assistance, and safety. A map that contains domestic violence programs by county.
https://opdv.ny.gov/survivors-victims
Text: 844-997-2121
Sherlock Holmes Foundation
Provides housing, employment opportunities, and a loving support system for LGBTQ+ young adults to learn about responsibility, life’s skills, independence, and self love.
Eligible for LGBTQ+ young homeless adults
SupplEmental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Federally funded program that issues electronic benefits to help low income families and individuals purchase food. Apply online or in person at local department of social services or NYC SNAP Center.
Income based, apply online
VIP Community Services
Behavioral health, housing, job readiness, and wraparound services to promote self sufficiency.
WIN (Women in Need, Inc)
Shelter and services to homeless families in NYC, with focus on women and children to provide safe housing and critical services.