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Resource of the Month: THE DOOR

Mission:

The Door's mission is to empower young people to reach their potential by providing comprehensive youth development services in a diverse and caring environment. They serve up to 11,000 youth annually across four New York City locations, including lower Manhattan and South Bronx youth centers and two supportive housing sites on the Lower East Side. The Door provides a wide range of free programs and services to meet the needs of New York City young people ages 12 to 24. Broome Street Academy (BSA), a charter high school embedded at The Door, enrolls up to 330 students and prioritizes applicants who are experiencing housing instability or have been involved in the child welfare system.

History:

Many things have changed since The Door opened in 1972. What began as a labor of love with a volunteer staff in an East Village storefront is now a full-fledged organization with close to 300 paid staff and our own building. However, several things remain the same including the tremendous dedication of our staff and the fearlessness of our young people who have the courage to seek support. 

Programs & Services:

At The Door, young people between the ages of 12 and 24 can access comprehensive services—health care, education, mental health counseling and crisis intervention, legal assistance, high school equivalency and college preparation services, career development, housing support, arts, sports and recreational activities, and nutritious meals—all for free. 

The Door's Whole-Person Approach:

We pride ourselves on offering all of our services in one place. This whole-person approach facilitates building trust with our young people; as such, The Door has had a significant impact on the lives of youth throughout the city for over half a century and counting. In the decades since our 1972 founding, this ground-breaking approach to youth services has served as a model for other, similar organizations locally, nationally, and internationally.

As the needs of New York City youth continue to shift and change, we work hard to shift our services in response.

Broome Street Academy (BSA): 

Housed under the same roof as The Door, Broome Street Academy (BSA) is a tuition-free public charter high school devoted to providing students with the necessary skills and support to graduate prepared for a successful future beyond high school. The wraparound supports provided in partnership with The Door promote student success in school and in life.

BSA opened in SoHo in 2011 as a SUNY-authorized charter high school committed to serving the vibrant and diverse youth of NYC. Today, BSA supports up to 330 students, 9th through 12th grade, from across all five boroughs. Although all students are welcome to apply, BSA’s model is specifically designed to support the city’s most vulnerable young people, reserving 50% of our seats for students who indicate that they are homeless or experiencing housing instability; unaccompanied or without a guardian; or who have been involved in the foster care or child welfare system. 

A BSA graduate will possess 21st-century knowledge, collaborative and technological skills, and personal qualities that will enable them to contribute to their community and pursue their educational and professional goals.

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