Background

Beautifully landscaped and located in the Briarwood section of Queens, the Briarwood Family Residence defies many of the stereotypes people might have when they think about homeless shelters.  With its bright red brick exterior and gleaming, modern entrance, Briarwood easily blends into its middle class neighborhood.

Then again, Briarwood has been a trailblazer in homeless family care since it first opened in 1992.  No less an authority than the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pronounced Briarwood as a “model for the nation” in terms of transitional housing for homeless families.  Today Briarwood ranks at the top of the New York City family shelter system and is highly regarded throughout the country.

As a transitional housing program (known as a “Tier II” shelter within the New York City shelter system), Briarwood provides the resources and expertise to assist families in their quest for independent living.  A highly skilled professional social service staff conducts comprehensive family need-assessments.  Programs are offered for parenting, budgeting, education and job training.  Recovery services for drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence are also available.  A medical office houses a team of nurses, dentists and a pediatrician.

The shelter provides specific programs to its residents including child care/education, housing assistance and recreation activities.  They plan programming to meet the specific needs of children, adults and the families as a whole.

One of the goals of Briarwood is to provide a pleasant, safe and well-maintained environment that encourages families to use the available social service programs.  By partnering with local non-profit, government and corporate agencies we are better prepared to meet that goal.

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Child Care/Education

Child care is provided at Briarwood to accommodate those parents who are working, attending school, in a job training program, searching for housing and/or have approved appointments to attend.  The program is designed to offer play and educational activities to infants, toddlers and pre-school age children.  The children participate in age-appropriate learning tasks and projects both individually and in small groups.  In addition, the New York City school system maintains a satellite office to monitor achievement, attendance and transportation for school age children.

 Housing

The housing specialist works with families in their efforts to obtain permanent housing.  Families are taught preparation, decision and application making.  In their housing search, families gain apartments through Section 8, EARP, private landlords, classified ads, realtors, and other as well as skills transferable to all aspects of independent living.

Recreation

Briarwood’s Recreation Department provides ongoing programs for children and adults that include after-school tutoring, conflict resolution, story hour, a bug buddy program in conjunction with a local college and a summer day camp.  Adult programs include cultural trips, sports events, arts and crafts activities and various workshops facilitated by outside agencies.  A highlight for residents is family week spent annually at The Salvation Army Respite Camp  in New Jersey.

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Other Programs

Adult Activities

*                  Housing workshops

*                  Parenting workshops

*                  Intake Orientation Groups

*                  Vocational Training

*                  ESL Classes

*                  Resume Writing

*                  Domestic Violence Counseling

*                  Supportive Counseling

*                  Christian Support Group

*                  Health Group

*                  Exercise Group

 

Children’s Program (0-5)

*                  Child Care

*                  Child Care Information Workshops

*                  Discipline Workshops

*                  Mommy and Me Workshop

*                  Storytelling Workshop

*                  Play Workshop

 

 

Children’s Program (6-13)

*               Kindergarten Afterschool Program

*               Afterschool Tutoring/Recreation Program

*               Peacemaker Program

*               Big Buddy Program (offered by Queens College)

*               Summer Day Camp (in conjunction with Forest Hills Community House) 

Family Programs

*              Monthly Storyteller Hour

*              Cultural Trips and Activities

*              Holiday Parties and Activities

*               Clothing Drive

*              Resident Christmas Door    Decorating Contest (sponsored by the Briarwood Advisory Council)

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Non-Profit, Government And Corporate Agencies

*              Visiting Nurses of New York

*              New York Hospital Pediatric Asthma Van

*              Medical Staff/New York Hospital

*              Business Link

*              Consortium (Sponsored by the New York City  Human Resources Administration)

*              Queens Educational Opportunity Center

*               Hospital Audiences Incorporated (HAI)

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Background

Each person that comes to the Bushwick Family Residence arrives with their own story.  Often those stories include chapters on substance abuse, domestic violence, abandonment, unemployment, poverty, dropping out of school, foster care, and the experience of homelessness as a child.  Our goal is to help the 87 families we serve to write their own endings--to take control of their lives and to build a better future for their children.

 

The Salvation Army is committed to addressing the issues affecting homeless families, and that commitment is reflected in the Bushwick Family Residence, located in Bushwick, Brooklyn.  Here The Salvation Army provides transitional housing in a safe, clean and comfortable environment while assisting families in obtaining permanent housing, education, job training, parenting skills, mental health services and more.

 

Bushwick works to help each family find affordable, permanent, subsidized housing and to teach families the necessary skills to maintain their homes.  A housing specialist helps the resident complete applications and helps residents find appropriate apartments, negotiates with landlords and real-estate brokers and teaches budgeting and money management.

Services

We do this in a variety of ways.  Our multi-service shelter provides a wide array of services on-site:

• Assistance finding permanent housing

• Case managemen

• Child Care

• GED Program

• Medical clinic

• Narcotics Anonymous

• Mentoring opportunities for youth

• Workshops

• Recreation for school-aged youth.

Philosophy

All of our programs are imbued with the belief that every person who comes through our door deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.  Every person deserves the kind of care that is sorely lacking in our increasingly bureaucratic world, and the spirit of love and compassion that has guided The Salvation Army for over 135 years is alive and well and growing at Bushwick.

A Community Program

The Bushwick Family Residence prides itself in being part of the community.  It is part of the local block association and has sponsored health and community empowerment affairs.  Local youngsters from the community have been employed in day camp and the summer youth employment program. 

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