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Youth Residence offers Opportunity to Grow

2022NYIAS_newsletter spring f proof_Page_2_Image_0004

Jennifer spent her childhood in foster care and residential treatment programs before moving to ICL’s Livonia Avenue Residence at age 18. “When I got to Livonia, I didn’t know how to explain my feelings. I got angry and became violent. The staff helped me change and become the person I never thought I could be.”

Livonia offers independent living for youth transitioning out of foster care, psychiatric hospitals, or residential treatment facilities. Often, these young people have little experience with independent living, and most do not have family they can rely on. The program helps them transition into the community and meet their goals, like finishing high school, applying to college, and working.

“Counselors and case managers work intensively with the young people. Staff help develop independent living skills and pursue vocational and educational opportunities,” said Sharon Sorrentino, Vice President for Child, Family, and Young Adult Services.

Today, Jennifer lives in one of our supportive housing programs and is looking to the future. “I want to be a social worker so that I can be there for a child the way I always wanted someone to be there for me. It wasn’t until Livonia that I got that kind of support.”