Thaddeus G. Whitley Residence
a transitional independent living (TIL) residence for runaway homeless youth

TIL Services

The Thaddeus G. Whitley Residence is a certified transitional independent living (TIL) facility for Runaway Homeless Youth (RHY) which provides homeless youth between the ages of 16 and 21 (and in some cases, dependent children) with transitional housing placements and support as they work to establish an independent life. Exceptions are made for youth who are still under 18 when they reach the 18‐month maximum stay. In these cases, the program will continue to provide services until the youth turns 18 or for an additional six months, if he or she is still under 18 years of age.

The Thaddeus G. Whitley residence is operated and provides onsite staff supervision 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

A young person in need of placement at the Thaddeus G. Whitley residence must first be housed in a Crisis Shelter and from there, obtain a referral to our facility or any other TIL facility once they have been assessed as suitable for programs designed to teach independent living skills. Youth may reside at the Thaddeus G. Whitley Residence for up to 18 months.

Residents of the Thaddeus G. Whitley residence live in a certified cooperative housing setting which allows them maximum responsibility for their daily lives while providing access to onsite counseling and support services. The primary purpose of the Thaddeus G. Whitley residence is to equip residents with the social and emotional skills they need to live independently, advance their educational and career goals, and identify a longer‐term housing option to follow this transition.

Any minor (youth ages 16‐17) seeking services at the Thaddeus G. Whitley residence would receive priority for placement and services in OCFS-certified residences. Services would include communication with parents in line with requirements and safety considerations and notification of State Central Registry, when necessary, and Administration for Children’s Services, where appropriate, to coordinate care and longer‐term solutions for children.

Social support services are provided by an interdisciplinary team of English and trilingual social workers and case managers whose services include:

• Independent living accommodations,
  • Food
  • Clothing
• Case management /assessment services,
• Individual and Group counseling, to include:
  • Teen RAPP (Relationship Abuse Prevention Program) providing crisis-counseling services and educational workshops.
• Assistance in the development of independent living skills,
• Linkage to Educational and After school programs / Youth development programs, categorized as follows:
  • Student Support
  • Student Leadership
  • Career Development
  • Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (to include family planning, childcare, and parenting groups)
  • Beacon Community Centers
  • Partnerships
  • After-School
  • Violence Prevention & Intervention
  • Homeless Youth
• Offering activities designed to develop problem‐solving, decision‐making, and communication skills.
• Topics range from:
  • personal hygiene,
  • health maintenance,
  • housekeeping essentials,
  • financial literacy,
  • employment opportunities,
  • career pathways,
  • family and relationship issues, and
  • effective use of leisure time.
• Referrals to other service providers directly and/or through written agreements that provide:
  • Medical/Dental referrals/Mental health services,
  • Legal services,
  • LGBTQ services
• Linkage to Vocational training resources / Summer Youth Employment, to include work in:
  • clerical,
  • custodial
  • teacher’s aides
  • library assistants
  • hospital and recreational aides
• Job placement assistance
• Counseling in Basic life skills
• Recreation programs which incorporate:
  • Academic Enrichment
  • Career Awareness
  • Health and Life Skills
  • Youth Leadership (centered on youth violence prevention, reinforcing proper standards of behavior and communicating positive messages and opportunities for peer socialization)
  • Community Building
  • Arts and cultural and social activities for students, families and neighborhood residents

Aftercare Services:

The supportive role at the Thaddeus G. Whitley residence goes far beyond its walls. Social workers and Case Managers coordinate a wide range of aftercare services to comprehensively meet the needs of our young adults after they transition from our temporary TIL program to permanent housing. Program staff provide follow‐up communication and referrals for at least 90 days after each youth leaves the program.

Hotline Phone Numbers

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474
1-866-331-8453 (TTY)

In New York City ONLY
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)
Crime Victims Hotline: 1-866-689-HELP (4357)
Rape & Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-212-227-3000
TDD phone number for all hotlines: 1-866-604-5350