Manhattan Resources
Education
NY State Dept of Education – High School Equivalency (HSE)
Information about 4 pathways to earn a High School equivalency diploma.
Eligible for NYS residents
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
NY State 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
Employment Assistance
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.
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.
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.
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
STRIVE New York – Prepared to Work, Determined to Succeed
Assists individuals from every borough, with focus on upper Manhattan and South Bronx, to connect opportunitie3s to those who need them most. STRIVE is able to connect career path trainings to growing sectors such as construction and healthcare.
Health and Wellness
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
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
NY State Office of Addiction Services and Support
Resources to help with alcohol, drug, and gambling issues.
The Care Coalition
List of organizations and contacts to help with alcohol and drug addiction.
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
NY State Department of Health, Insurance Marketplace
Health insurance options available through the individual marketplace.
Eligible for NYS Residents
NY State 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
Legal Services
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.
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.
Mentoring
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
Parenting/Family Support
Growing Up NYC
Support from birth though age 24 through a range of programs including but no limited to childcare, homeless youth, health insurance, food, housing, and job training.
Social Services
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
National Domestic Hotline
Confidential assistance in 200+ languages. Directory of assistance providers by state and legal assistance.
NY State 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