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Community Service Organizations2023-04-20T16:27:00+00:00

Community Service Organizations

Linked below is information on general service community organizations, peer support groups, and those who provide services for groups with shared interests such as adjudicated youth, those with disabilities, seniors, Spanish-speaking individuals and families, veterans, and women.

If you live outside of Westchester County, see this page for information on reentry supports outside of Westchester County.

If are returning from Westchester County Jail or a state correctional facility and are homeless or require Medicaid or cash assistance, connect with the Westchester County Department of Social Services (DSS).  Services can take up to 45 days to put in place, but shelter placement can be immediate. A copy of the DSS application is linked here (otda.ny.gov/programs/applications/2921.pdf). Your facility transitions coordinator will likely have worked with you to complete this application in advance of your return.

  • If you have just returned from a state correctional facility without housing, you would have been directed to the DSS office at 85 Court Street, White Plains NY for housing to meet with staff dedicated to your needs.  If you arrive after that office has closed, you will be directed to the Open Arms shelter or to the Samaratan House (see Drop-In Centers). You will be able to stay there until the DSS office at 85 Court Street reopens.  The hours for the White PlainsOffice are 8:30am-5pm, Mon-Fri; their Customer Service number is 914-995-3333.
  • If you were in the county jail, you may have already connected with the DSS Reentry Coordinator regarding housing.  If not, you can seek shelter and service at any of the Drop-In Centers.  You may also seek services at a DSS office that is local to you.

(This information also appears under Essential Westchester Connections.)

The multi-service agencies listed below operate throughout the county.

You may also wish to call 211 – the United Way’s free, confidential, multilingual information and referral helpline open 365 days a year, 9am-7pm. For more information, see the United Way entry below.

HOPE Community Services

914-636-4010 info@hope-cs.org hopecommunityservices.org/   Services include a soup kitchen, food pantry, counseling for the homeless in cooperation with the Oasis Shelter, and transitional housing for [Read More]

Salvation Army Community Centers

salvationarmyusa.org/usn/location-search The Salvation Army offers a wide range of services for adults and children, including adult rehabilitation, veterans affairs, prison ministries, elder services, hunger relief [Read More]

United Way

Dial 2-1-1 211hudsonvalley.org United Way’s 211 Helpline offers health and human services information, referral, assessment, and crisis support to help callers find the assistance [Read More]

Westhab

914-345-2800 mail@westhab.org westhab.org/ Westhab's housing and social services combine to create a comprehensive community development approach in Westchester, developing affordable and supportive housing, operating homeless [Read More]

Westhab

914-345-2800 mail@westhab.org 8 Bashford St. Yonkers, New York 10701 westhab.org Westhab provides a wide range of programs and services aimed at ending the cycle [Read More]

If you are disabled and have been unable to work or have been unable to earn sufficient to meet basic needs, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance and or Supplemental Security Income. You must be found disabled according to Social Security Administration’s guidelines. Medical evidence will be required to substantiate your disability.

To apply for either program you could initiate a claim online or by contacting SSA toll free at 1- 800-772-1213. You will need to complete various forms and you may be required to attend a medical evaluation provided by SSA’s doctors. The application process takes approximately 4-6 months for an initial determination. If found disabled, your benefit will vary depending on your work history and or your living arrangements.

For those seeking work, all of the agencies listed below provide assistance.

Westchester offers countless resources, services, and benefits to its seniors, but keeping track of it all can be difficult. Information and services specific to basic needs relevant to seniors are listed below. For a list of all county-sponsored services for seniors go to seniorcitizens.westchestergov.com. Visit the Westchester Library System’s Seniors Site for more helpful information and resources.

For those 60+, learn what services and discounts your current age may entitle you to by doing a benefits checkup.  This can be done quickly online at benefitscheckup.org.  Just enter your zip code.

The Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) regularly updates two guides:

Housing

Employment

  • The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) offers services to persons age 55+. If you are ready to reenter the workplace a wide range of jobs are available and the SCSEP Program is eager to assist you in preparing for a job and to direct you to job openings.
  • CAREERS Support Solutions offers a free program to help seniors find jobs. Contact Allison Scorca at 914-741-8500 X106 or ascorca@careersfp.org

As long as you have an honorable, medical or general discharge, no criminal conviction can take your veteran’s benefits away.  Depending on the type of benefits you receive, e.g., compensation vs. pension, benefits may stop or be reduced during your incarceration. It’s important to know where and how to reapply.

A review of benefits is available at the Veterans Benefits Administration or you can call (800) 827-1000.  If you are a caregiver for a veteran, there is a site just for you.

Are you a Homeless Veteran? Under the Patriot Housing Initiative, you may qualify for priority consideration in housing. For more information, contact the VA National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838) . You will be connected with the local VA for immediate assistance.

CHECK: VET TO VET Andrea (director) 914-358-4240

Linked below are links to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs service for return

Information and services specifically directed towards women are listed below.

Temporary housing (shelters) – including services for families seeking shelter – is coordinated by the Department of Social Services (DSS).  See also the information under Temporary housing for “Shelters and services for survivors of domestic violence or abuse.”

WomensLaw

hotline.womenslaw.org (form-based email hotline) womenslaw.org/ Despite its name, WomensLaw.org provides [Read More]

For legal information, Law Help NY is a good starting point; the web site provides LiveChat.  A Spanish version of the website is at: http://www.lawhelpny.org/es/ See their resources on immigration help.

The New York State Immigration Hotline (800-566-7636 and 212-419-3737) responds to general questions about immigration and naturalization benefits, requirements and procedures.

The groups listed below serve Hispanic populations within Westchester County.

Neighbors Link

914-666-3410info@neighborslink.org27 Columbus Avenue Mount Kisco, NY 10549neighborslink.orgNeighbors Link helps immigrant [Read More]

Positive relationships and meaningful connections make a difference. The organizations listed here off peer support and mentorship.

914 United

914-439-3023 jalvarez@914united.org jcabrera@914united.org 914united.com 914UNITED Inc. is Yonkers-based organization [Read More]

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