Programs and Services Overview

Programming to Change Lives

SCI clients are ensured safe, secure, comfortable housing while they work closely with the staff to overcome the system and personal challenges that prevents them from independence. Our care is provided 24 hours every day, 7 days a week through two residencies. St. Martin de Porres, located in Brooklyn, NY, is SCI’s 200-bed residence for women. New Haven, located in Harlem, NY, is SCI’s 100-bed residence for men. This represents about 40% of such beds funded NYC Department of Homeless Services. In total, each year SCI provides services to an average 500 clients annually and over the past 5 years we have successfully transitioned approximate 2,000 clients back to their communities with stable housing, entitlements, employment and community based supports such as health and mental health services.

A Holistic Approach

SCI blends traditional psychosocial mental health techniques with a holistic approach to meet the needs of a person as a whole. Client empowerment and ownership are essential to success. When clients enter SCI’s residencies, they are assigned an SCI team, who help the clients create their Personalized Living Plans. With professional guidance, clients broker their own path to a better life – they identify the services they need and what path they will take – and in the end, they take pride in their journeys toward stable, healthy living.

To begin the process, each individual receives dedicated case management. Case Managers are responsible for comprehensive intake and assessment; entitlements and benefit screening; Personalized Living Plan development and follow-up with the client; home visits; 24 hour on-call emergency availability; and coordinating services with community resources.

We believe that in order for our clients to be successful they need to have a voice in the process. SCI’s Personalized Living Plan is a strategic plan which is informed by the client’s individual needs and aspirations. From this document a strategic plan is developed and objectives are mutually agreed upon by the client and his/her community adjustment team (SCAT). In addition to the case manager, the SCAT may include Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), Housing Specialist, Associate Ombudsperson and an Employment Specialist. When a client is given the opportunity to formulate necessary and achievable goals for themselves, they are most likely to succeed in meeting them.

SCI’s Record of Success

During the past 6 years, SCI has placed thousands-- individuals and families --into appropriate permanent housing. Securing our clients a place where they can build a home and life is our ultimate goal. Our holistic, client-centered approach has proven to better prepare our clients for reentry into their communities and regaining independence as evidenced by SCI’s 85% non-recidivist rate.