The Door - A Center of Alternatives

06/17/2026

On June 16, we celebrated the opening of The Door's expanded facilities at the Bronx Drop-In Center for young people experiencing housing instability. The new modifications to the space provide immediate access to meals, showers, laundry, case management, housing support, and a caring community - where we meet young people where they are with dignity and compassion.

Thank you to the supporters, partners, elected officials, and advocates who helped make this vision a reality. Together, we're expanding access to life-changing services and creating more pathways to stability, opportunity, and hope for young people across New York City.

06/12/2026

We're happy to share that Beth Baltimore, Deputy Director of The Door's Legal Services Center, will receive this year's Child Advocate Award from the Children's Defense Fund. Join us on June 17th for an evening of joy, justice, and community.

06/09/2026

Over the weekend, we participated in Queens Pride to connect with LGBTQIA+ young people. For many, seeing us in these spaces sends a powerful message: you belong, you matter, and support is here for you. Every conversation at our table was an opportunity to share resources, build trust, and remind young people that they don't have to navigate challenges alone. From health services and counseling, to education and employment support, The Door works every day to create pathways to safety, stability, and opportunity. We're grateful to the donors and supporters who make this work possible so we can meet young people where they are - not just in our buildings, but throughout the communities they call home.

Looking forward to more Pride events in the days and weeks ahead!

05/29/2026

For Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re sharing tips from our Community Mental Health Team on how to build healthy relationships - because everyone deserves love, respect, and empathy. At The Door, we empower teens and young adults to practice these skills in safe, supportive spaces - helping them build confidence, connection, and well-being.

05/26/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Thanks to our Community Mental Health Team, here are a few tips that you can practice self care.

Because of our amazing supporters, The Door provides workshops that teach teens and young adults these essential skills and more - and creates a safe space where they can find compassionate, youth-centered mental health services and a welcoming community when they need it most.

05/19/2026

A federal court has granted a stay largely prohibiting ICE from conducting civil immigration enforcement actions in or near several New York immigration court locations while our case with African Communities Together proceeds.

This ruling is an important step toward protecting access to justice for immigrant New Yorkers who are attending required court hearings and pursuing their legal cases.

At The Door, our Legal Services Center continues to support immigrant young people who have been deeply impacted by courthouse arrests, detention, and policies that create fear where due process should be protected. We are proud to stand alongside our partners and our members in the fight for safety, dignity, and justice.

Read the full update here: https://www.door.org/articles/district-court-grants-stay-prohibiting-ice-from-conducting-courthouse-arrests/

05/15/2026

We’re proud to share some big news about Joel, a 16-year-old Bronx student and Door member who was unlawfully arrested by ICE during a routine check-in. With our partners at New York Civil Liberties Union, we filed an emergency habeas petition for his release while the question of his status and pending deportation was being assessed; his release was granted. We have now jointly agreed to voluntary dismissal with terms, and Joel has received deferred action for four years, allowing him to remain safely in the United States and apply for work authorization.

This outcome is a powerful reminder of why legal advocacy and community support matter. No young person should fear being separated from their family while simply trying to navigate the immigration system. Read more about the case here: https://www.door.org/articles/victory-16-year-old-illegally-arrested-during-ice-check-in-can-remain-with-family/

NEW YORK – In a victory for due process, the New York Civil Liberties Union and The Door’s Legal Services Center secured an agreement with the government to ...

05/14/2026

Yesterday, our inaugural cohort in our partnership with New York University NYU Silver School of Social Work participated in commencement! Through a unique partnership, Door staff are receiving their MSWs at a significantly reduced cost, while being able to continue their essential work here with young people. Together, we're building a pipeline of culturally-competent, highly-trained staff who can better serve our communities. Thank you to NYU, and to the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and Trinity Church NYC for supporting this program.