Hotlines & Other Supportive Resources ACS Children’s Rights Hotline
212-676-9421 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
For young people experiencing difficulties in the child welfare system (e.g. placement, SPRs, discharge planning, visiting family, racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.) that they are unable to resolve with agency staff.
Break the Cycle (New York)
212-848-4150
Provides legal services and advocacy for young victims, ages 12-22, with dating and relationship abuse. The Door Legal Services
212-941-9090
For legal questions about foster care.
Lawyers for Children
110 Lafayette Street
New York City 10013
1-800-244-2540
Legal Aid Society, Juvenile Rights Division
Manhattan: 212-312-2260
Bronx: 718-579-7900
Brooklyn: 718-237-3100
Queens: 718-298-8900
SI: 718-981-0219
For legal questions about foster care or to track down your lawyer in Family Court. LifeNet Hotline Network
800-543-3638, 877-298-3373 (Spanish), 877-990-8585 (Asian languages)
For people in crisis who need help with emotional, drug, or alcohol problems. Safe Horizons
800-621-HOPE (4673)
For people dealing with abusive relationships or domestic violence. Samaritans
212-673-3000
For those who are feeling suicidal. Youthline
800-246-4646
Offers free, confidential information, referrals, and crisis prevention. It also offers peer-run workshops and forums on topics including alcohol abuse, anger Management, child abuse, conflict mediation, grief, loss, and bereavement, eating disorders, peer pressure, sexuality, suicide, teen violence, and youth empowerment.
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How to Get a Green Card
By Theresa Hughes, Child Advocacy Clinic, St. John’s University
The United States government makes it really hard for non-citizens to get legal status. In spite of this, there is a way for some undocumented youth in foster care to get a green card. It’s called Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS).
If you answer “yes” to ALL of the following questions, then you may want to apply for SIJS. (Note: If you’re not sure of the answer, be sure to talk with a lawyer who can help you find out if you have something like an “open case” mentioned in number 1.)
1. Do you have an open juvenile delinquency, abandonment or child abuse/neglect case?
2. Is the plan for you not to get back together with your family, but instead to stay in foster care long-term and/or be adopted?
3. Will the court find that it is not in your best interest to be returned to your home country?
4. Are you under age 21?
5. Are you single (not married)?
If your SIJS application is granted, you will be entitled to live and work in the United States permanently and to travel in and out of the country as a permanent resident. After five years, you can apply for U.S. citizenship.
It costs money to apply for your green card, but your agency is supposed to pay for it.
If want to learn more about SIJS or apply, you should tell your or law guardian as soon as possible. If you couldn’t answer “yes” to all of those questions but you are still under 21, you should contact a lawyer to determine if you are eligible for SIJS.
For a free handbook about getting a green card, you can call the Immigration Rights Project at Lawyers for Children: 212-966-6420.
Or contact The Door, 2120-941-9090, www.door.org.
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Programs for Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System Each One, Teach One
212-254-5700 ext. 312
Helps young people involved in the juvenile justice system and those living in neighborhoods with high rates of youth incarceration develop organizational and leadership skills. Participants can become activists and leaders in New York juvenile justice reform efforts. Exodus Transitional Community
161 E. 104th St. (Lexington & 3rd Aves.)
Manhattan
917-492-0990 ext. 212
Helps formerly incarcerated youth, ages 14-18, find and retain housing and jobs, and re-enroll in school. Friends of Island Academy
330 W. 38th St., Ste. 301
Manhattan
212-760-0755
This program is only for young people who have been in Rikers. It offers services prior to release and some aftercare services, including GED classes, guidance and support for getting into vocational school or college, job training and placement, individual, group, and family counseling, mentoring, and case management. Urban Youth Alliance, BronxConnect Mentoring Project
14 W. 170th St.
Bronx
718-402-6872
A faith-based alternative-to-incarceration project for youth, ages 12-18, who have an open court case in the Bronx or have been recently released from a secure facility. Activities include cultural and recreational programs and special speakers.
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GLBTQ Resources & Opportunities The Ali Forney Center
224 W 35th St., #1102
Manhattan
212-222-3427
www.aliforneycenter.org
Emergency housing and youth leadership training. If you are in need of shelter, call 917-822-5011. Audrey Lorde Project
85 S. Oxford St.
Brooklyn
718-596-0342
www.alp.org
Discussion group, movie nights, free meals, metro cards. Chill Gathering for LBTQ Women of Color
Sister Outsider
26 Raleigh Pl., 2nd fl. (#2 train to Church Ave.)
Brooklyn
718-282-9586
Offers LBTQ women, ages 14-22, weekly supportive space offering discussion groups, healing work, open mike, learning about politics, events, and outings, or just chilling. Call Taneshia for info.
Hetrick Martin’s Harvey Milk School & After School Programs
2 Astor Place
Manhattan
212-674-2400
http://hmi.org
Hetrick Martin is a public school for LGBTQ youth that provides a comprehensive high school curriculum with mandatory State Regents Exams. To qualify, you must:
1. Be 14-16 years old
2. Be seeking a high school diploma
3. Have 0-15 credits (exception made for 17-year-olds with 21+ credits)
4. Have completed 8th grade
5. Have legal guardian approval and commitment
6. Have submitted all necessary paperwork (school attendance records, transcripts, social security card, birth certificate, immunization record, and IEP, if available).
Lawyers for Children, The Gay & Lesbian Youth Project
110 Lafayette St., 8th fl.
Manhattan
212-966-6420 or 1-800-244-2540
Info on programs for LGBTQ youth having problems in group or foster homes. Call Linda Diaz for info.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
See Youth Enrichment Services, below Project Reach
1 Orchard St., 2nd fl.
Manhattan
212-966-4227 or 800-70-REACH
trannieboi88@yahoo.com
Groups on sexual orientation, homophobia, sexual/verbal harassment, coming out, relationships, dealing with parents Queens Pride House
67-03 Woodside Ave.
Queens
718-429-5309
http://queenspridehouse.tripod.com
Social events and rap groups.
Triangle Tribe
212-491-5911, ext. 20
Offers a range of services for GLBTQ youth in foster care, including a support group and mentoring program. Call Megan Kelley for info. Youth Enrichment Services (YES Program) at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
208 W. 13th St.
Manhattan
212-620-7310
www.centeryes.org
Offers youth, ages 13-21, creative writing, safer sex kit-making, book-making, support groups, computer lab, digiArts, ArtTIME, and drop-in counseling. back to top
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Hotlines and Other Supportive Resources