Program News 2005
The Foyer Nine Months Later
The Chelsea Foyer opened in mid April 2004 and is home to 40 vulnerable young adults in their late teens and early twenties. The 18-24 month program provides supportive housing, targeting young adults who are "aging out" of foster and residential care, homeless youth and other young adults who lack independent living and employment skills to make a successful transition to independent living. Naeema Burgess is a 21-year-old resident of the Foyer. She grew up in North Carolina where her parents divorced at the age of 3. Naeema moved to New York City after she was accepted to The College of New Rochelle but due to financial constraints could not afford to live in the school's dormitory residences and was forced to live with family and friends. This new living situation was not a good environment for Naeema and she did not feel that it would allow her to achieve success and independence.
Naeema was referred to the Chelsea Foyer by a current program participant in July of 2004, she then submitted an application and was accepted into the program. On July 30, 2004, Naeema moved into Foyer as a low service needs young person with many strengths that she graciously shared with the other residents. Naeema adapted immediately to the culture of the Foyer and her co-residents. She became actively involved in the Foyer's community and was elected by her peers to the Foyer Resident Council in the position of Council Advisor. Naeema has continued to be a full-time student at The College of New Rochelle where she currently has GPA of 2.9 and is scheduled to graduate with a B.A. in Psychology this upcoming May. She was also recently accepted into the Masters of Science program and will begin taking graduate level classes, while still formally an undergraduate student. Her next step is to attain her PhD in Psychology. The guidance Naeema receives from her case manager has enabled her to create an action plan, which addresses her self-identified, educational, vocational, housing and independent living goals and the steps necessary to achieve them. She is also learning how to live independently and receives on-going support as she develops skills and makes life-changing decisions that will pave the way to a self-sufficient future.
In addition to all of this, Naeema has maintained a 32-hour workweek at YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network. At YAI she has worked as a direct care professional to people with mental and developmental disabilities and earlier this month was promoted to the position of full-time case manager.
Naeema is a young woman who has had her share of personal struggles which she battles with determination, maturity and grace. She has made full use of the services provided to her at The Chelsea Foyer to help her achieve her goals. Staff at the Foyer describe Naeema as a bright, articulate, personable and focused young woman. These qualities have been exemplified by her many achievements since moving to the Foyer.
January 30, 2005
