More Than 70 Programs and Services Throughout New York City
Good Shepherd Services operates more than 70 programs in high-need communities throughout New York City united by a common goal: to help vulnerable youth and families find a safe passage to self-sufficiency. You’ll find us where we’re needed most – in communities stressed by poverty and crime, in failing schools, or working to address the needs of young people who cannot live with their families. Though our programs and services are diverse, our approach is always the same. We surround youth and families with the right services, at the right time, for long enough to make a difference. This wraparound approach helps young people to build a wide range of skills and build strong connections with caring adults, peers, and the broader community.
In our community-based programs, our main focus is to keep youth connected to school and to strengthen families so that they can stay together. In our out-of-home care programs, our aim is to keep children and teens safe and to promote their healthy development and strengthen their families so that they can return home. Our professional training services provide opportunities for social service providers throughout the City to develop the skills necessary for effective work with children and families.
Geographical Overview
Our Community Presence
Bronx: Broad range of community, family, and school-based services; foster boarding home and adoption services; group homes for boys and girls. Programs located in the Bathgate, Belmont, Castle Hill, Claremont, East Concourse, East Tremont, Fordham, Highbridge, Kingsbridge, Morrisania, Parkchester, Soundview, and University Heights neighborhoods.
Brooklyn: Broad range of community, family, and school-based services. Programs located in the Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach, Bushwick, Canarsie, Coney Island, Downtown, Gowanus, Park Slope, Red Hook, Sunset Park, and Williamsburg neighborhoods.
Manhattan: Broad range of residential programs for adolescents, supportive/transitional housing for young adults, school-based support services, job readiness training, and professional training services.
Program Spotlight
Helping Struggling Youth Overcome Barriers to Success at Automotive High School
Since 2007, Good Shepherd Services has operated the Crossroads program at Automotive High School in Brooklyn, which aims to help struggling youth realize their inner strengths and overcome barriers to success while providing counseling, family involvement, attendance services, higher education guidance, and career development. This past fall, we were pleased to implement several new after-school services at Automotive with the help of renewed and increased funding from the United Way and the NYC Department of Education. One such initiative, The Freshmen Leadership program runs workshops for youth on topics important to the freshmen transition to high school such as confidence building, decision making, goal setting, time management, study skills, and conflict mediation, while also linking participants with at least two positive adult role models that they can seek out for support during the day and after school. The Leadership group nurtures a sense of belonging for the students, making sure their transition to a new school is smooth and that students are primed for high school success.
A Transformation grant from the DOE supported the implementation of our Extended Learning Time program, which offers an array of engaging, credit-bearing after-school activities, including weight lifting, archery, Tae Kwon Do, table tennis, cooking, gardening, music, theater, robotics, chess, and academic tutoring. This program helps students who are in danger of failing or have failed classes to recover credits, keeping them on track to graduate on time, while offering chances for students to expand their interests and engage in positive social interactions. The increased DOE funds also allowed us to hire a College Counselor to provide comprehensive college support services to students by running weekly college access and awareness groups; engaging students' families in the college process; facilitating test preparation workshops; and organizing college visits. Many of the students we serve will be the first in their families to enroll in college, and our enhanced college readiness and information services ensure that they have the guidance and supports they need to achieve their highest potential.
The goal of the after-school program at Automotive High School is to keep students safe, improve attendance, and promote a positive school climate and culture, and we are extremely grateful to have been able to enhance and expand our after-school offerings this year to reach even more youth, who will experience the positive effects of our programming, not just during their high school years, but also throughout college, their careers, and beyond.
Success Stories
Learn how Good Shepherd’s programs make an impact on the communities in which we work by reading about the experiences of our participants themselves.
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Program News
Keep up to date on the events and activities happening at Good Shepherd’s 70+ programs. more
- Noel, former program participant
