Lifting Up Westchester

HOUSING: LUW has two types of housing programs:Housing Success: a shelter-based program focused on helping shelter guests find market-rate housing and transition into that housing successfully. Our Housing Success Specialists work intensively with guests to find, move in, and adjust to their new homes/communities. After this initial transition (usually 6 to 12 months), contact is limited.Supportive Housing: for clients with specific qualifying conditions, ongoing case management and financial support is provided to ensure they remain stably housed. Case managers are assigned long-term clients and may support them for years in maintaining their housing and wellbeing. LUW has four supportive housing programs - HOPWA, Ryan White, RAP/OMH, and Turning Point.In 2023, LUW housing programs helped 246 individuals secure and maintain housing.

YOUTH SERVICES: LUW helps young people succeed regardless of their background or circumstances. A suite of educational programming gives students the tools needed to break the cycle of poverty and achieve a more secure future. Through our programs, students can overcome learning challenges; improve their core reading, writing, and STEM skills; and receive mentorship from kindergarten through college.KidzLit provides opportunities for elementary and middle school students residing at the Coachman Family Center to receive homework help and participate in fun, collaborative literacy activities that will help narrow reading gaps. After-School Mentoring offers an array of tutoring, enrichment, and college prep activities with the goal of empowering high school students in Yonkers to graduate on time and attend college or other post-secondary training. College & Career Success guides our high school graduates as they navigate post-secondary paths. LUW offers support through College Success Coaches, Job Central Career Specialists, and partial scholarships. Summer Camp provides a recreational and academically enriching summer camp experience for children who are homeless or extremely low-income. Camp is a safe, nurturing place to learn and practice important life skills like swimming, but also provides unique experience that fosters both educational and personal growth.In 2023, the program was able to serve 395 youth in our after-school programs, 80 in our summer camp, and 75 in our college success program.

SHELTERS: LUW operates two shelters in White Plains that provide a safe place to stay, nutritious food, case management, counseling, and referral services for single men and women experiencing homelessness. Samaritan House is our 17-bed women's shelter; and Open Arms is our 38-bed men's shelter. Both facilities serve as emergency drop-in shelters with capacity for 20 additional adults. In 2023, the shelters provided 563 individuals with 18,016 nights of shelter and approximately 45,040 meals. All shelter guests receive case management support, employment services, and housing placement services.