Resources

If you need help in understanding your rights, these organizations and programs may help you.

• Children’s Law Center (CLC) – Reach out to your lawyer! 
• Legal Aid Society Juvenile Rights – Lawyers who help kids and teens in legal trouble.
• NYC Family Court self help center – Learn about what happens in court and what your rights are.
• Help for kids who are immigrants & refugees – Legal help if you are new to the U.S. or don’t have papers.

If you need a place to sleep or are worried about losing your home, these places can help: 

• NYC shelters for youth – Safe places for kids and teens who need housing. 
• Covenant House NYC – A shelter just for young people without a safe home.
• NYC Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FHEPS) – If your family is being forced to leave your home.

If you’re feeling sick, need medical care, or want to talk to someone about your feelings, check these resources: 

• Free & Low-cost medical care – Find a doctor if you don’t have insurance.
• Mental health support – Talk to someone about stress, sadness, or other worries at NYC Well.
• Help with drug or alcohol problems – Support for teens struggling with addiction.

If you need help with school, tutoring, or special education services, these groups can support you: 

• Help with special education – Learn about your rights if you have an IEP or 504 Plan.
• Help for unhoused students (McKinney-Vento Act) – If you don’t have a stable home, your school must still support you.
• After-school & tutoring Programs – Free programs to help with homework and learning.

If you are LGBTQ+ and need a safe space or someone to talk to, these organizations can help: 

• Ali Forney Center – Housing and help for LGBTQ+ youth who need a safe place to stay.
• The Trevor Project – A free crisis helpline and other resources for LGBTQ+ youth.
• Hetrick-Martin Institute – All sorts of programs and support for LGBTQ+ teens.

If you or your family needs food, clothing, or other essentials, these places offer free help: 

• Food banks & meal programs – Find a place near you to get free food.
• Clothing & essentials – Get help with clothes, backpacks, and other needs from Glam4good.

If you are in foster care or want to learn about adoption, these groups can help: 

• Foster care – What are your rights in New York City?
• Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI) – A state program to help current and former foster care students with college support.
• Kinship Navigator – Helps caregivers find resources.