A Message from our President & CEO

In 2024, Services for the UnderServed (S:US) provided safe homes and essential services to over 37,000 New Yorkers, including people who have experienced homelessness, people with mental health and substance use challenges, and people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

As New York City faces a shortage of affordable housing, record prices of food and other essentials, and high rates of untreated mental health conditions, we have recommitted to our vision of creating a city of opportunity for all. S:US is continuing to expand our programs, working towards a future in which we end chronic homelessness and ensure all our neighbors have the healthcare and other services they need to thrive.

We are grateful to our staff, Board, funders, supporters, and volunteers for enabling us to change the lives of so many New Yorkers this year. The following Impact Report shows just some of what S:US has been able to accomplish thanks to your partnership.

Sincerely,
Perry Perlmutter

2024 Highlights

In response to the growing need for our services, S:US has expanded many of our existing programs and launched new initiatives. Below is a snapshot of some of our most important projects this year.

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Building New Homes

S:US has continued to build new supportive and affordable housing to address the housing crisis in New York City. In 2024, we purchased 2 parcels of land and 4 existing buildings to be rehabilitated, which together will create 540 apartments in Manhattan and The Bronx. Altogether, S:US has over 2,300 apartments currently under construction or in the planning stages in multiple sites across New York City. These developments will provide housing for low-income New Yorkers of all backgrounds, including individuals and families who have faced homelessness and domestic violence.

Youth Summer Camp

S:US has continued to expand our Community Food Security programs, including our programs for youth and families. In 2023, we piloted an Environmental Summer Camp for youth in our shelters and supportive housing, and in 2024, we grew the program and made it a permanent offering. 18 children from 3 S:US locations participated in this week-long program, where they spent time outside, learned about the environment and farming, socialized, and did arts and crafts projects.

Walk-In Crisis Support

S:US was awarded a contract from New York State to open a Supportive Crisis Stabilization Center in Brooklyn, which will provide walk-in support to people experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis. The program, which will launch in 2025, will be open 24/7 and offer services for up to 24 hours for those in acute distress. During their stay people will receive support from social workers, nurses, and other professionals, who will provide crisis services while helping plan for each individual’s longer-term care.

New Enrichment Activities

Two new social activities offered for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities include speed dating and ice skating. The speed dating event hosts people served by S:US and partner organizations, who spend time chatting, playing musical chairs, and dancing to music. Our ice skating program takes place at the outdoor rink in Riverbank State Park, and participants have the chance to make new friends while learning new skills and exercising. This year, S:US also received a grant to help us develop an adaptive ice skating sled for people who use wheelchairs.

Advocating for Change

In 2024, S:US successfully lobbied the New York State government to provide increased funding to support our programs. This included much-needed raises and retention bonuses for our hard-working staff, which will enable us to retain a strong workforce to deliver consistent, high-quality care to the people we serve. We also received funds to renovate one of our group homes in Brooklyn that provides housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These upgrades will provide a safer and more comfortable environment for residents.

Supportive and Affordable Housing

Providing Safe Homes for the Most Vulnerable New Yorkers

This year, S:US provided supportive housing for over 4,000 low-income New Yorkers with histories of homelessness, serious mental health challenges, or substance use disorders. In our supportive housing, residents benefit from the combination of safe, affordable homes and on-site services. Staff check in on residents regularly to help them reach their individual goals and assist with tasks of daily living, including accessing medical care, finding new jobs, and enrolling their children in school.

Supportive and Affordable Housing Highlights

Maintaining Stable Housing

For individuals with significant mental health needs or substance use disorders, it can be challenging to maintain stable housing. For residents of our supportive housing, over 95% of individuals remained in their homes year over year.

Supporting Individuals and Families

This year, S:US served over 4,000 people in our supportive housing programs, including individuals and families with histories of homelessness, mental health challenges and substance use disorders, and those who have fled domestic violence.

Homeless Services

Offering Shelter and Support to People Facing Homelessness

In 2024, S:US provided shelter and essential supports to thousands of New Yorkers experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Through our shelters, we provided a safe place to stay for individuals and families, including for survivors of domestic violence and people living with mental health challenges. We also served people at risk of homelessness through our eviction prevention programs and supported those we serve as they transitioned from living in shelters to long-term homes.

Homeless Services Highlights

Enhancing Shelter Services

We have added clinical care to our shelters to address the connection between homelessness and mental health and substance use challenges. Our care teams offer individuals multiple avenues to access support in ways that facilitate greater engagement and long-term recovery.

Helping Families Avoid Homelessness

Through our Homebase program, we helped 2,250 households avoid homelessness. Homebase provides individuals and families at risk of eviction with emergency assistance including help paying rent and resources to help them find financial and housing stability.

Behavioral Health Recovery and Treatment

Assisting People with Mental Health Challenges and Substance Use Disorders

This year, S:US provided treatment and support to 4,200 people who have faced mental health challenges and substance use disorders. Those served were the most marginalized New Yorkers, including people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and those who have been involved with the criminal justice system. Our recovery and treatment programs provide services through clinics, in residential settings, and through outreach in the local community.

Behavioral Health Recovery and Treatment Highlights

Connecting People to Care

S:US enrolled over 200 people into our substance use and mental health recovery and treatment programs who were formerly not connected to care. This includes people who were living on the street and in shelters or other temporary housing.

Street Outreach

Our street outreach team engaged over 500 individuals, distributing over 2,500 essential healthcare supplies, such as Narcan kits and fentanyl test strips, to reduce instances of drug overdoses among people living on the streets.

Veterans Services

Helping Vulnerable Veterans and Their Families Find Stability

This year, S:US served 2,000 New York City and Long Island veterans and their families. The veterans we serve are all low-income, and most live with mental and physical health challenges or substance use disorders. S:US offers veterans long-term housing, assistance in maintaining housing for those at risk of eviction, and support in finding new jobs and accessing healthcare and other essential services.

Veterans Services Highlights

Preventing Homelessness

Through our Rapid Rehousing Program, S:US helps veterans facing homelessness move into long-term housing as soon as possible. This year, over 87% of formerly homeless veterans in the program successfully transitioned to new homes.

Connecting Veterans to Healthcare

Our Supportive Services for Veteran Families continues to make significant strides in enhancing the wellbeing of very low-income veteran families. This year, 98% of program participants were connected to essential healthcare services.

Developmental Disabilities Services

Providing Community and Independence to People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

This year, S:US provided homes and support services to 750 people living with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). We served those who live in S:US housing, as well as people who live in the community and attend our Day Programs. Our programs for people with I/DD focus on helping people live to their fullest potential and reach their personal goals through offering opportunities to learn life skills and find community.

Developmental Disabilities Services Highlights

Offering Opportunities for Enrichment

S:US offered many new opportunities for people with I/DD to have fun and get involved with the community. This included volunteering at our community fridges and lending libraries, speed dating, and adaptive ice skating and roller skating.

Helping People live Independently

We provided residential services to 322 people with I/DD, offering safe homes and personalized support to each resident. S:US staff helped each resident achieve their personal goals as well as access medical or psychological services.

Community Food Security

Building Healthier Communities through Nutrition and Urban Farming

S:US operates urban farms and gardens at 91 S:US sites and also run food distribution initiatives for people experiencing food insecurity. This year, a record of 830 people participated in Urban Farms programming, which provides access to fresh food and greenspace, as well as nutritional education programs and employment opportunities. Through our food distribution initiatives, S:US program participants and residents, as well as members of the surrounding communities and S:US staff.

Community Food Security Highlights

Growing Healthy Food

This past year, S:US’ Urban Farms grew 12,200 lbs of produce, or the equivalent of 10,100 meals, an increase of nearly 20% from last year. We also employed 23 people served by S:US who have developmental disabilities or mental health or substance use challenges as Urban Farmers.

Providing Meals

S:US expanded our emergency food initiatives, distributing nearly 250 food totes to families in our supportive housing during NYC schools’ summer recess, and providing hundreds of pounds of free food through our community fridges.

Thank You!

We are grateful to our individual donors and our corporate, foundation, and government funders, for helping to make 2024 such an impactful year. To help S:US continue our vital mission in 2025, please make a gift today!

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Corporate Partners

We are grateful to our Corporate Partners for their generous support. To learn more about how your company can become a Corporate Partner, click here.