Youth Shelter Program of Westchester

Louis lost both his parents within days of each other, at the age of 10. Tyrone witnessed his sister’s murder when he was just 7 years of age. Shayla experienced nearly a year of homelessness when she was 13. It’s easy to look at the young people who come to the Youth Shelter Program of Westchester for services after coming into contact with the criminal legal system and see their behaviors. These young people are used to being seen that way. What is harder to see is all of the factors that led them to developing these behaviors to begin with. Risk taking is normal behavior for adolescents and young adults. Taking risks helps them understand themselves and the world around them. But for young people who have experienced abuse and trauma, this normal developmental stage can be taken too far, leading to negative impacts on physical and mental health, alcohol and substance misuse, and in some cases even criminal behavior. At YSOW, we look at the whole person and try to determine the drivers of these risky behaviors. We address their immediate needs such as housing, education and employment along with mental health through an approach that is built on a foundation of trust, structure and sensitive accountability. Together, we can be a force for positive change. Won’t you help give these young individuals the opportunity to rewrite their stories, turning a page toward a future filled with promise and potential? Our program is more than an alternative; it's a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change. We believe in the inherent potential of every young person, recognizing that their journey is shaped by a myriad of circumstances often beyond their control. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, we strive to address the root causes of their involvement in the justice system, providing a holistic approach that emphasizes rehabilitation, education, and community support. As we approach the end of this year, we invite you to join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of justice-impacted youth. Your support enables YSOW to expand our reach, touch more lives, and advocate for a justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation and second chances. As you think about your year-end giving, please consider making a donation to YSOW. There are countless young people, just like Louis, Tyrone, and Shayla who deserve a second chance in life. Your support could make all the difference, helping YSOW provide transformative opportunities for these young individuals, fostering growth, resilience, and a path toward a brighter future. Please visit our website at www.ysow.org to make your secure donation. Sincerely, Joanne Dunn Executive Director

A holiday party with a purpose was just that indeed! Special thanks to renowned celebrity Chef Jeff Henderson for taking time out of his busy schedule time with us. He spent time breaking bread with our young scholars, meeting and greeting our holiday guests and sharing his book, Cooked his memoir recollecting his journey from the streets to the stove and how cooking changed his life. An excellent night had by all to celebrate the holiday season. #buildingbrighterfutures

Here’s a spotlight on some of our newest team members, our YouthCREDible messengers who are responsible for creating educational and enrichment programs surrounding gun violence, engaging their peers in positive programming and making a POSITIVE difference in their community! We are proud to have them join our team and looking forward to the bright waves they will produce. Welcome, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Mann, and Mr. Elmore! Congratulations on the new role.

Few things give me as much joy as the work my colleagues and I do in helping to close the digital divide. Today we provided laptops to children in Yonkers, NY. Thank you to Robert LeBron and the team at 914 United and Jordan Cormier and her colleagues at Youth Shelter Program of Westchester for being such incredible partners. And a big thanks to Robin White, Timothy Tapia, M.Ed., and Kristin Duffy, MPA for all their hard work.