Youth Services Programming

In March of 2000 Hudson River Housing assumed sponsorship of the River Haven Program previously operated by the YMCA. The addition of River Haven's emergency and transitional housing for homeless and runaway youth expanded and strengthened HRH's continuum of services for the homeless.

River Haven's services are provided through the following programs:

* River Haven Shelter

* River Haven Independent Living

* River Haven Transitional Living Community

* River Haven Street Outreach

* Excel

River Haven Shelter & Crisis Center

River Haven Shelter is a voluntary program designed to address the emergency needs of runaway and homeless youth and
their families, as well as to assist them in making plans for the future. River Haven operates a 12 bed state certified
shelter, providing short term housing for 10-17 year old youths who are currently, or are in danger of becoming,
homeless or runaway. The program provides crisis intervention services, individual, group and family counseling,
and an emergency shelter which is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information or for assistance,
please call (845) 454-3600.

River Haven Street-Based Outreach Program

The Street Based Outreach Program is based at 305-307 Mill Street. The Street Outreach Team is most often out in the community directly reaching out to runaway, homeless, and street involved youth in areas where these young people are likely to congregate. The Team has successfully brought homeless young people to safe emergency shelter and directly assisted them in meeting basic needs. In addition to rescuing teens from the street, the Team provides information, referrals and assistance to young people in an effort to prevent them from falling victim to the dangers that characterize street life. Outreach efforts are focused in the cities of Beacon and Poughkeepsie as well as the eastern part of the County where teens frequently have difficulty accessing services. The Outreach Team makes over 1,200 contacts each year. For more information or for assistance, please call (845) 454-2300.

River Haven Transitional Living Community (TLC)

The River Haven Transitional Living Program Community (TLC) is geared toward older youth who are homeless or living in an unsuitable living situation for whom a goal of independent living is realistic. Housing is available for up to ten 16-21 year old youths who share 5 two-bedroom apartments in the City of Poughkeepsie. The safe, affordable and supportive environment provided by TLC is enhanced by the Case Managers and residential staff who are on premises to offer skills training and supervision to TLC residents. Residents are assisted in finding and maintaining employment, continuing or resuming education or training, securing financial entitlements, counseling advocacy and developing basic living skills. For more information or for assistance, please call (845) 454-2300.

River Haven - Independent Living Program

The Independent Living Support Program is designed to assist older homeless youth in stabilizing their
lives and in developing the skills, means and personal characteristics necessary to make a successful
transition to self-sufficient independent living.
Services are provided to help young people meet their most basic needs and then develop a plan to acquire employment, education, housing, financial support, mental health services and other needed services. An emphasis is placed on empowering young people to advocate for themselves and develop the skills they will need to become successful.

River Haven Independent Living Support Program - The Independent Living Support Program is designed to provide support and assistance to older homeless youth who are working towards a goal of self-sufficiency. The services offered include counseling and assistance in locating suitable housing, employment, educational/vocational training, therapy, medical assistance, financial entitlements, and other services as needed. Our staff also assists youth in developing independent living skills such as budgeting, banking, housekeeping, cooking, etc. The program can also provide basic household supplies for youth who are starting out on their own and can provide food and other supplies when a youth living independently experiences an emergency. For more information or for assistance, please call (845) 454-2300.