![\"Sebastien](\"http:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Sebastien-Vante-2019-e1547222482759.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Safe Horizon’s Streetwork Project<\/a> helps young people experiencing homelessness find community, connection, and stability. Our staff is at the core of all we do and no one exemplifies the commitment to helping homeless youth like the newest Director of the Streetwork Drop-In, Sebastien Vante.<\/p>\n Sebastien Vante has been with the program for nearly a decade starting as a Daily Services Coordinator, then the Associate Director of Sexual Health, and now Director of the Streetwork Drop-In.<\/p>\n Get to know\u00a0 Sebastien, what he thinks sets Streetwork apart, and our commitment to youth leadership.<\/p>\n Youth Leadership is very, very important at Streetwork because – especially in working with the population that we serve, who’ve been in institutions or residential treatment settings where there\u2019s no options, no choice, no community being built \u2013 we want to give youth the opportunity to feel like there\u2019s choice, and we build community in our space so they experience ownership of our program.<\/p>\n Well, you know, it\u2019s really hard for folks to be in a position where they have to ask of others. And so we really want to eliminate that hesitancy. Youth know after coming to Streetwork that, \u201cThis is mine, I\u2019m entitled to these things, I deserve these things, and I shouldn\u2019t have feel bad for asking for something specific.\u201d We\u2019re happy to give them the blue toothbrush, the organic conditioner, the Dr. Bronner\u2019s brand, or a specific style of t-shirt. How we center their choice is part of the reason why they keep returning. It\u2019s part of the reason why a lot of the referrals are not from other agencies but from word-of-mouth. They tell their friends, \u201cThis is how Streetwork treats you, this is how they do things,\u201d and I think that\u2019s really important.<\/p>\n It also adds to safety. When clients feel like the space is theirs, even though it\u2019s our responsibility to maintain a safe space, they also take part in it too. There\u2019s a sense of ownership. Like you’ll see a client pick up a piece of trash that doesn’t belong to them because they feel that sense of, \u201cI don’t want it in our space.\u201d Or if they’re seeing something that\u2019s amiss or brewing \u2013 like they know a client’s got beef with another client somewhere outside of the agency \u2013 they\u2019ll pull staff aside to let them know. So it really lends twofold: it ensures the safety of the space, and it helps us do our job.<\/p>\n I think what we’re seeing now is that we\u2019re getting a lot of new clients. But they\u2019re not clients who are new to homelessness, or even new to RHY programs – they\u2019re youth who know our clients. As we get to know them, we\u2019re building relationships with these new young folks who may have had negative experiences at other programs. It\u2019s been interesting trying to get these new folks involved in youth leadership. It\u2019s new to them, but there\u2019s interest. Like a lot of the folks have participated in our groups after just a month or even a day in. We\u2019re really trying to reestablish that youth voice component by getting them comfortable with sharing their input, so that the newer people can feel invested in this space.<\/p>\n It certainly helps with adaptability, I mean if there’s anything that we learned in the pandemic, for sure. But also just that Streetwork is like a living organism. It shifts, it moves, it adapts. We make assessments as we go. We get feedback. We take what’s relevant. We take what we are hearing from clients and shift accordingly. Even the fact that we have weekend hours, for example, a lot of that is also client voice, and our DYCD providers recognizing that there’s a need… So it\u2019s fairly new in my time, and I’ve been here for almost eight years.<\/p>\n I think in that we actually take in the clients\u2019 feedback. You know, it’s not always unique to have a Client Advisory Board. But what is unique is actually taking those voices into account. You can provide the space for folks to share and to air grievances and have a whole process, but are you actually taking those things into consideration? Are you altering? Are you shifting? Are you bringing it to the space? I think what makes us different is that we actually take those things into account. And I think you can see in that in the way youth respond to our program.<\/p>\n Yeah, I think a lot of the times folks get nervous when they hear that part of the hiring process includes a group interview with Streetwork clients. But then, especially in the early interviews, we discuss our anti-racist and our anti-oppressive approach. Part of that is giving clients voice in determining who they work with, and so folks realize, like, \u201cWow, that’s really empowering to the young people.\u201d So yeah, there\u2019s nervousness, but then they also appreciate how that’s just how much we care about our young people and their experiences.<\/p>\n It does, for sure. I think clients see that that the people who work with them, look like them. And that helps with their engagement. They see people who look like them at all levels. So whether it\u2019s direct staff, the coordinator or the supervisor, directors, our AVP, they see themselves. That’s a big deal.<\/p>\n I think what would be really great is if we could have more case managers, because I think a lot about our staff, and how much of our work is respond to youth and being available to them. The work is always going to get done, right, because the clients need it, and that\u2019s our job. But\u2026at what expense? That\u2019s why we see a lot of high turnover in the case management positions, because it’s a lot of work. So it would be good to have more case managers to avoid burnout and to really spread our reach so that case mangers can manage their caseloads and be more available to center those things like youth voice and leadership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sebastien Vante Director of the Streetwork Drop-In, has been with the program for nearly a decade. Get to know\u00a0Sebastien and his work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":{"id":6685,"alt_text":"Sebastien Vante","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":410,"height":588,"file":"2019\/01\/Sebastien-Vante-2019-e1547222482759.jpg","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"file":"Sebastien-Vante-2019-e1547222482759-150x150.jpg","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Sebastien-Vante-2019-e1547222482759-150x150.jpg"},"medium":{"file":"Sebastien-Vante-2019-e1547222482759-209x300.jpg","width":209,"height":300,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Sebastien-Vante-2019-e1547222482759-209x300.jpg"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]}},"post":10576,"source_url":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Sebastien-Vante-2019-e1547222482759.jpg"},"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2015],"tags":[183,435,187,346],"class_list":["post-9660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-safe-blog","tag-homeless-youth","tag-sebastien-vante","tag-streetwork-project","tag-youth-homelessness","issue-homeless-youth"],"acf":{"page_header_title":"","title_font_size":"42","page_header_excerpt":"","sub-headline_placement":false,"page_header_image":false,"custom_scripts":false,"show_author_bio":false,"original_url":"","related_initiative_title":"Want to learn more about Streetwork?","related_initiative_link":"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/streetwork\/","related_initiative_link_text":"Visit our Official Page!","featured_posts":[{"ID":6797,"post_author":"13","post_date":"2018-12-20 21:06:18","post_date_gmt":"2018-12-20 21:06:18","post_content":"Q. Why do you think youth leadership is so important for the Streetwork Project?<\/h2>\n
Q. How does that opportunity for feedback affect how young people relate to Streetwork?<\/h2>\n
Q. How does that component, of youth leadership and voice, affect the drop-in space?<\/h2>\n
Q. Speaking of how things evolve, how has youth leadership changed over the years at Streetwork?<\/h2>\n
Q. As newer clients come in, does their voice help keep Streetwork adaptable?<\/h2>\n
Q. How does youth leadership work differently at Streetwork compared to other RHY programs?<\/h2>\n
Q. It seems like youth leadership doesn\u2019t just affect clients, but staff as well. How do new staff respond? Are they surprised when they come to Streetwork and see that commitment to youth voice, like in the interview process?<\/h2>\n
Q. As you mentioned, Safe Horizon staff talk a lot about salary equity and anti-racism. Does that come up with the young people at Streetwork as well?<\/h2>\n
Q. Given all that Streetwork is already doing to center youth voices, is there something you wish you could do more of?<\/h2>\n
![\"Carolyn](\"https:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Carolyn-Strudwick-Streetwork-Project-NYC-Pride-Guide-Holiday-2018-1024x614.png\")
\r\n\r\nNYC Pride Guide Holiday 2018\r\nBy Nikkita Thompson\r\nDecember 20, 2018<\/em>\r\n\r\nIn 2018, Safe Horizon celebrates its 40th anniversary of serving New York City\u2019s homeless community. Launched in 1984, Streetwork Project<\/a> has grown from one drop-in center to a comprehensive structure seeking to serve homeless youth in a variety of ways. Carolyn Strudwick, Associate Vice President of Streetwork Youth Programs, is a long time change agent for young people that are experiencing homelessness. At the Harlem Street Drop-In center, Carolyn gave us a deep dive into Streetwork\u2019s solution for homeless youth. The drop-in center on 125th Street buzzed on a sunny, fall Tuesday. Lunch was almost ready to be served in the sun-drenched center. Carolyn and her colleague Joy led us to the conference room which was overrun with sewing machines and fabrics. \u201cDon\u2019t mind the clutter,<\/em>\u201d said Carolyn. \u201cWe are preparing for our Kiki Ball so it looks like an episode of Project Runway in here.<\/em>\u201d Carolyn and Joy explained how excited the clients were for the Kiki Ball, as many of the clients identify within the LGBTQIA+ community and were familiar with the city\u2019s thriving Ball scene.\r\nTell Me About Your Journey to Safe Horizon<\/h1>\r\nWhen I first started, it was the mid-90s and we were called Victim Services. We were just a storefront in Hell\u2019s Kitchen on Tenth Avenue. I did outreach as a case manager in the Times Square area before it was revitalized. It was a very painful time in the city, where young people were forced to leave home because of violence, poverty, and abuse. It was during the crack epidemic, so many communities were really ravished which caused young people to be removed from their homes and be placed in the system, mainly foster care and New York City Administration for Children's Services. Many of the young people that we did outreach to were either aging out of foster care or running away from foster care placement.\r\n
What Drew You to Work with Homeless Youth at Streetwork Project?<\/h1>\r\nSomething that really drew me to Streetwork and social work, in general, was that we\u2019ve always had a social justice approach to our services. It\u2019s not like we\u2019re coming to save somebody; we don\u2019t claim we can save you. Rather, we focus on the individual to build trust with them so we can provide resources and services. Streetwork has always been very diverse and though we do not solely focus on the [LGBTQIA+] community, we interact with many kids including gay and trans youth. We look at the role society plays in perpetuating poverty, racism, homophobia, and violence. It\u2019s about addressing those systemic issues and meeting the needs of young people in crisis.\r\n
How Has Streetwork Project Grown Over the Years?<\/h1>\r\nOver time the program has evolved and built itself. Streetwork was positioned in midtown for quite a few years and then we opened up a drop-in center on the Lower East Side. We also had a location on 38th and Eighth Avenue as well as a residential location. We\u2019ve always had an outreach component since the program started. Through the drop-in centers, young people can come every day to get their needs met in a variety of ways. Clients show up voluntarily and participate based on what they identify their needs to be. There are a variety of needs met based on case management services, which can start from basic needs around food, clothing, and shelter to seeing a psychiatrist, therapist, medical, legal \u2026 everything under one roof.\r\n
What are Some Reasons Youth Experience Homelessness in New York City?<\/h1>\r\nStatistics show that youth are homeless because of a history of incarceration due to juvenile detention, domestic violence in the home, sexual abuse and physical abuse. All these events are traumatic experiences that young people are trying to cope and navigate through. These behaviors are often self-destructive to themselves and others, but that is the result of trauma. Because our society is homophobic, it is twice as hard for young people who identify with the queer community. Their mental issues may be brought on by the media, everyday discrimination, being bullied, difficulty getting a job and numerous other factors. And yes, being trans is even harder with the lack of funding to help our youth transition. We try not to be punitive. We try to come from a place of understanding because they\u2019ve already been through the system, so they are expecting a punishment as a result instead of someone sitting with them and talking it through.\r\n
What is Streetwork's Approach to Addressing the Causes and Effects of Homelessness Among Youth?<\/h1>\r\nWe look at social work with an anti-oppression lens. We look at the role society plays in perpetuating poverty, racism, homophobia, and violence. We talk about racism, how it shows up in the work that we are doing and how we are helping people access our services. It is not coincidental that nationwide, young people of color make up a disproportionate amount of youth dragged through the system. Domestic violence transcends all race and social class but people of color are more likely to be taken away and placed in the system when it happens in the home. We talk about those disparities in the system. We also take a look at us as staff showing up to do the work; what are we as staff bringing into that process. All of that is tied to the success of our program.\r\n
What Was the Inspiration Behind the Transgender Support Group \u201cWhat's The T?<\/em>\u201d<\/a><\/h1>\r\nSupport groups are essential for building positive youth development and building self-esteem. We find this even more true for trans youth. I am a cisgender, lesbian-identified woman. And even though I am a lesbian, there is still privilege because of my cisgendered identity. Having that privilege allows me to fit into society. So you have trans youth who are constantly asking, \u201cwell, where do I fit in?<\/em>\u201d They are told that they are against nature in every way. Many of our trans female clients have issues with self-esteem and struggle with being able to pass. It\u2019s good to have a community where trans folks can come together and share. We have these resources and know-how to create a safe space for them to talk about their issues because we have trans staff to facilitate those conversations. It\u2019s really about finding community and connectedness.\r\n
How Has the Landscape of Homelessness Among Youth Changed Since You Started Working at Safe Horizon in the \u201890s?<\/h1>\r\nYouth are still homeless, that has not changed, but these are not young people who have homeless written all over them. It\u2019s not like it used to be per se. We used to walk the streets around 42nd Street-Times Square, actually see young people out there, because of how the environment was at the time. Are young people still trading sex for a place to stay? Yes. We call it \u201ccouch-surfing.<\/em>\u201d They may be staying with a friend, they may be staying in an unsafe space to have a place to stay for the night. Homelessness is still out there. Youth are still sleeping on the trains. We still have outreach teams at Hunts Point in the Bronx and on Queens Boulevard. The piers used to be a large outreach area for us, but they built up the pier so homeless youth don\u2019t frequent that area too much anymore. A lot of young people make connections through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, so social media has changed the form of how they hook up, communicate or even access resources. One of the restrictions [New York City] had in the past was that only youth under the age of 21 could go into their crisis shelters. The drop-in centers were not as strict with the age limit, but the crisis shelters did not provide services for those who were past the age of 21. Now we know that at the age of 21, young people still need a bit more time and support and cannot be considered full grown adults. Safe Horizon has advocated for them to raise the age which they did this year. They set aside some funding for beds that would go towards young people between the ages of 21 and 24.\r\n
Can You Share a Memorable Moment From Your Outreach Experience?<\/h1>\r\nOften times in the work, I wonder, \u201cWhat is the impact?<\/em>\u201d And I\u2019ve found that in our graduation ceremonies, the memorable moment is when they say that they found a family. Kids who used to be my clients will call me back and say, \u201cThanks for putting up with me.\u201d<\/em> Many of them tell me about the children that they have now and will call to ask for advice on raising their children because we are sort of that surrogate parent to them. That is where you can tell that you\u2019ve made an impact. You know you did something good when clients are calling you back to ask you for parenting advice or just general guidance.","post_title":"NYC Pride Guide Features Carolyn Strudwick and Safe Horizon's Streetwork Project","post_excerpt":"Safe Horizon's Carolyn Strudwick, a long time change agent for young people that are experiencing homelessness, reflects on her experience at Streetwork Project.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"carolyn-strudwick-streetwork-project","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2019-02-21 14:47:02","post_modified_gmt":"2019-02-21 14:47:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"http:\/\/www.safehorizon.org\/?p=6797","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}]},"yoast_head":"\n