STREET OUTREACH PROJECT — > MOBILE VAN > GANG INTERVENTION >
STREET OUTREACH PROJECT:
The Nassau County Youth Board estimates that 3,500 young people in Nassau County run away from home or become homeless each year. Without an adequate support system, many of these youth face social alienation, involvement in criminal activities and gangs, and health and hygiene problems, including STDs and HIV.
To help these young people, in 1997 Long Island Crisis Center created Street Outreach Project, which utilizes a mobile outreach team to identify and assist street-involved youth, especially those who are runaways or homeless and/or gang involved.
Mobile Van The clearly-marked Street Outreach van travels six days a week into Nassau County’s highest-need communities: Hempstead, Roosevelt, Freeport, Uniondale and Westbury. Our outreach team consists of outreach workers and peers, young people familiar with the problems facing teens in these at-risk communities.
— Basic survival aid – Workers distribute nutritious snacks, bottled water, personal hygiene supplies and warm clothing in the winter months.
— Outreach – Outreach materials distributed include key chains that display the 24/7 hotline number, which workers encourage youth to call in an emergency.
— Case management – Workers provide one-to-one counseling and case management to help young people with problem solving and to motivate them to connect with needed health, vocational and support services. Staff can assist youth in making appointments, provide transportation and follow up with all referrals.
— Access to shelter – Street Outreach workers are available 24/7 to provide transportation to local youth shelters as an alternative to transient living such as staying on friends’ couches or sleeping in cars and train stations.
— Peer Education – Each year 3-6 young people are recruited and trained for peer-to-peer outreach. In addition to travelling with the SOP van, they attend conferences, trainings and community events.
— Harm-reduction counseling – Workers provide counseling and educational information about HIV, STDs and sexual abuse.
Gang Intervention
In 2004, Street Outreach Project received additional funding by the Nassau County Youth Board to address the growing problem of youth violence and gang activity in Nassau County.
— Outreach and Education - A Gang Intervention Specialist travels with the Street Outreach team to places where youth congregate in order to establish and build relationships with gang-involved or at-risk young people.
— Anonymous Hotline – Partnering with STRONG Youth and the Uniondale Intervention Project, SOP initiated “Speak Up Before Something Goes Down,” which encourages youth and community members to call our 24/7 hotline about suspected gang or other criminal activities.
School Counseling and Workshops
— Workshops – Workshops on Gang Prevention and Runaway and Abuse Prevention in local high schools. (see “Community Education” for more information)
— Girls Group – Discussions about gang prevention and self-esteem issues with young women in Westbury Middle School, Hempstead High School and Roosevelt High School’s New Horizon Alternative Program. The young women also participate in educational and cultural outings.
If you or someone you know is under 21 and in need of emergency shelter, call: (516) 679-1111. (Nassau County residents only). Safe, free transportation to shelter is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
By Mail: Long Island Crisis Center
Attn: Street Outreach Project
2740 Martin Avenue
Bellmore, NY 11710
By Phone: Office (516) 826-0244
Hotline (516) 679-1111
