About SCI
MISSION: To empower individuals, families and communities by providing services that help people develop the skills and tools necessary to achieve a better life through unique, creative and holistic programming.
Sequoia Community Initiatives, formerly known as CIDR, (Community Information and Dispute Resolution,) is a Manhattan-based non-profit organization, with a 501 c (3) tax-exempt status formed initially to provide the resolution of concerns of the disabled, mentally challenged and those living with catastrophic illness. SCI continues its work for the homeless through mediation training, advocacy and implementing creative programs such as Negotiating Life, a trademarked program created by SCI, which teaches our clients hands on skills necessary to negotiate one's way through the maze of bureaucracy that often stops this population in their tracks, be it negotiating a system or reunification with their family; instead our clients learn alternative skills to fighting with fists or angry words. Our Negotiating Life program is now being utilized in prison systems to prepare inmates for their return to society and prevent recidivism. On a day to day basis, Sequoia, through their mediation and conflict resolution services for the mentally challenged and HIV/AIDS population became aware that housing is the biggest obstacle to resolving many of the issues this population faces and now operates three transitory housing residences for homeless men and women which provide a full array of social and medical services 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week: St. Martin de Porres Women's Transitory Housing Residence in Brooklyn, and Step Up and New Haven Men's Transitory Housing Residencies in Harlem. Besides providing over 436,000 meals a year to our homeless clients, SCI has also placed near 1,000 clients in permanent housing during the past three years. One client in our Brooklyn was just awarded a $16,000 scholarship to Polytechnic University, renewable for undergraduate study. Our Brooklyn Women's facility also has an Open Art Studio where women create beautiful paintings and sculpture having no formal training. SCI is planning an Art Exhibit/Silent Auction of their work in February.
Our mission at Sequoia is to empower individuals by providing services that help the mentally and physically challenged develop the skills and tools necessary to achieve a better life with the ultimate goal of independent living. Today, the face of homelessness has changed. Many of these individuals are college-educated, have held jobs and had their own apartments; many have also never had the support system of family and friends to help tide them over when faced with unexpected catastrophes. Hence, this contributes to the overwhelming statistic of 38,000 people sleeping at the NYC shelters every night. By providing programs that assist the whole person, body/mind/spirit, whether receiving new books, working computers, up-to-date clothing, visits from and to cultural institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of the Arts, starting a running club- begin to renew spirits and self confidence, which becomes the first stepping stone toward job and home and getting back into Life.
VALUE STATEMENT:
- SCI embraces, values and respects the diversity of our communities and constituencies.
- SCI believes people have the ability to improve and enhance their lives when given the appropriate skills, tools and supports necessary to fulfill individual needs.
- SCI believes people must have a voice in developing a personalized living plan if they are to be successful.
- SCI believes everyone has unique talents and abilities to contribute to their communities and to society.
- SCI staff members represent diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds as well as varied educational, practical and life experiences.
