Transitioning to Adulthood
Our Rights of Passage (ROP) transitional living program addresses the long term housing needs of our young people. ROP provides homeless teenagers and young adults (18-21), with a stable home for up to eighteen months. Its goal is to provide an environment that mirrors the reality of independent living but allows young people the opportunity to make mistakes without ending up back on the streets. The Program also provides transitional housing services to young single mothers and their children.
The biggest challenge facing ROP in fiscal year 2010 was keeping our young people employed. Due to the economic downturn, many ROP residents lost their jobs or had their hours cut back, making it far more difficult for them to save money in preparation for independent living. Residents experiencing these employment difficulties receive intensive services from our Job Developers, and we have seen a slight increase in available jobs due to summer seasonal employment and the recent opening of a new, large department store in Manhattan.
Rights of Passage Director: Dave Gregorio
