By Kellee Barrett

Young people in crisis come from every sort of background and living situation. Many end up homeless, fleeing unsafe situations or being asked to leave their home for one reason or another.

The one thing these youth have in common is the need for a safe place to call home.

Misconceptions about homeless youth, such as thinking that these kids have a choice, often stand in the way of them getting help. The reality is that no child would ever choose to be homeless.

Some are unwelcome at home because of their sexual orientation or sexual identity. Others’ primary or extended families can’t afford to care for them or there is parental substance use, neglect, violence, and other forms of abuse in the home. Still other children have mental health, developmental and behavioral issues that their families are unable to handle.

Fortunately, Family and Children’s Association provides life saving assistance for homeless youth in Nassau County.

FCA’s Nassau Haven residence provides emergency shelter for youth between 10-20 years old with 12 beds available. The length of stay varies by age, with a limit of 60 days. If needed, an extension can be granted with the approval of the Nassau County Youth Board. Nassau Haven operates 24 hours, 7 days a week at all times.

FCA’s Walkabout is a 10-bed residence that offers longer term transitional housing to runaway youth, who may stay up to 24 months. The goal for both of FCA’s programs is to reunite families whenever possible.

While addressing the immediate need for shelter, FCA’s programs also provide vital wrap around services. Walkabout’s program includes a mix of structure and independence for teens. Residents must attend school and work, or volunteer as a means to support a successful transition to independent living.

Undocumented children, who may not be able to get a job, can go to school with scholarship help from FCA to prepare them for employment. Independent living skills ranging from how to change a light bulb to managing money are an important part of the program as well.

Youth living at Walkabout receive an allowance from their paychecks, but a portion of their earnings are secured in a personal bank account, building a nest egg to help them achieve independence.

Nassau Haven residents receive case management services to address their immediate needs.  FCA schedules doctor appointments, helps them obtain health insurance, and secures the basic documentation needed to enroll in the local school district. The staff at both Nassau Haven and Walkabout cook for residents, provide clothing and address other emergency needs.

Social workers who work with runaway and homeless youth report that increased numbers of young people they serve come from other states. Many of these youth have made a connection on social media with a promise of work, romance and opportunity that instead led them to sex trafficking and other forms of abuse.

Even if they have managed to make it to a shelter, many continue to communicate with the person who betrayed their trust, as it is the only connection that they have.

Nassau Haven and Walkabout seek to reestablish that trust that has been lost by providing a space that exudes the comfort and safety of a stable home and a caring, professional staff.

The immediate sense of relief is palpable when kids arrive. For youth who have experienced adverse situations, having a stable, caring adult makes all the difference. The staff respects boundaries and lets the kids come to them.

Children who were hopeless regain hope. Those who didn’t attend school start earning good grades, and begin caring about themselves and their futures’ again.

Continued community outreach is imperative so people are aware of available resources and safe places for youth. Nassau Haven and Suffolk County’s Hope for Youth can be reached by 24/7/365 by text. Nassau Haven has social media accounts.

Schools, libraries, places of worship, clinics and community organizations, and word of mouth play a significant role as well. It is key to meet prospective clients where they gather and educate them as to how to get help.

Funding for these programs has remained at the same level over the last 30 years despite the everchanging cultural and technological shifts. While so much more could be done with better funding, Long Island’s not-for-profits do an amazing job at helping our neighbors.

Important Resources for Family and Youth

Nassau County

Family and Children’s Association

Nassau Haven 516- 221-1310 (phone)  516-427-9354  (text)

Suffolk County

Hope for Youth

Emergency Phone: 631-782-6596 or call or text 516-659-0923

Hope for Youth is a Family and Youth Services Supported Program

Huntington Youth Bureau, Youth Development Research Institute, Inc.

Emergency Phone: 631-549-8700

Nassau Haven and Hope for Youth are certified by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services as a shelter for runaway and homeless youth. Services are provided in accordance with the New York State Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.

Kellee Barrett, LCSW, is an Assistant Vice President, at Family and Children’s Association in Garden City.