The Door

Where NYC’s young people can reach their potential

This was the vision: to create an innovative youth development model to address the complex needs of young New Yorkers.

And here is the result: The Door.

Established in 1972, The Door has served up to 11,000 youth annually, from lower Manhattan and the South Bronx to housing sites on the Lower East Side. Their success over the last fifty years lies in meeting young people where they are and providing them with comprehensive and integrated services to help them reach their potential.

In 2015, TDFF Board Member Ilaria Fusina introduced the Foundation to The Door, and a match was made. In every way, The Door’s comprehensive approach to empowering individuals dovetails with TDFF’s mission, with thousands of young people depending on their programs for health, safety, education, friendship, housing, and so much more.
The need for basic life necessities for NYC young people has never been greater. One in four experiences poverty. Almost 300,000 young people are disconnected from education and the workforce. Over 100,000 NYC youth — close to 10% of our school system — are homeless.

The Door’s unique model emphasizes a comprehensive and integrated network of programs to help at-risk young people between the ages of 12 and 24 on the path to wellness and success, no matter their current challenges. The young people who come to The Door can access health and wellness care in the adolescent health center; daily nutritious meals; mental health counseling; career and education programs; legal services; crisis support if they are runaway or homeless; and arts opportunities – all under one roof, all designed to meet the specific and complex needs of teens and young adults, and all free of charge.

For more information, visit their website.

One of The Door’s largest programs focuses on building opportunities for careers and education, using an evidence-based, comprehensive model. Each year, 3,000 young people, more than one-third of whom are not in school and not working when they enroll, can work towards obtaining their high school equivalency degree, or get help applying to college.

A significant hurdle for many young people is becoming work-ready, as many have never held a living wage job or been employed. At The Door, young adults gain work and life skills through an intensive job training program. The Door partners with companies in six distinct growth industries to provide 10 weeks of training before paid internships start. Participants are actively mentored throughout the process, and, in many cases, internships lead to full time employment.

In the fall of 2023, The Door’s new Bronx Youth Center (BYC) space officially opened. With this new expanded space, The Door can provide holistic support and paths to thriving futures for South Bronx youth. In addition to continuing to offer employment and education programming, BYC will provide mental health support, arts programming, legal assistance, culinary services, and more.