Staten Island Men's Shelter Approaches Anniversary
“Like a castle on a hill” is how Program Director Susan Bernstein describes the Tompkins Avenue Men’s Shelter. The five-floor building is perched on a hilltop away from the street in the Stapleton neighborhood of Staten Island.
The shelter is located inside the building formerly known as The New York Foundling’s Stephen’s House (named after Stephen Siller, the inspiration for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Now, as the Tompkins Avenue Men’s Shelter, the facility provides 100 beds for single adult men who have been experiencing housing instability. On December 29, Samaritan Daytop Village will mark the shelter’s first full year of operations at the site.
The NYC Department of Homeless Services screens clients before referring them to the shelter. There, clients work one-on-one with a Case Manager to establish stable employment, find permanent housing, or receive job skills training.
“Success can mean different things to these men,” explained Bernstein. “It can be moving into housing, getting a job, or going to school.”
Other staff members supporting the clients’ goals include an Assistant Program Director, Facility Manager, Administrative Assistant, Housing Specialists, Recreation Coordinator, Social Worker, Employment Specialists, Shift Supervisors, Resident Workers, Driver, Food Operations Coordinator, and Food Service Workers. (There are currently a few job openings at the location. If interested in applying, refer to the agency's Careers Portal. Or, to learn more about working at Samaritan Daytop Village, visit the website's Careers page.
Tompkins Avenue has proven to be a self-contained community for the men. The five-floor building has four floors of dorms with private bathrooms. A van is available to transport clients to appointments and meetings. And, the large grassy backyard has a volleyball net, basketball hoop, and benches.
“Because of the number of activities available on-site and the secluded location, we have found that the men prefer to stay on the grounds,” says Bernstein. “Loitering in the community has not been an issue.” (Possibly remove this last part of the quote.)
Bernstein, who resides in Staten Island, began working at the shelter in March this year. She was previously the Clinical Supervisor for the Shelter in Reach Program, providing substance use services to clients at two shelters in Brooklyn. Prior to that, Bernstein spent nearly four decades overseeing residential treatment facilities for health and human service agencies. Her combined clinical and operations experience was a great fit for the shelter.
“I love working at Tompkins Avenue,” says Bernstein. “The staff and the community are wonderful.”
VP of Transitional Housing Jerry Heaney said, “There was a vibrant ramp-up of support for the shelter. Since its opening, the community has had zero complaints.”
Bernstein commented on the high level of engagement of the Staten Island community. At her first Community Advisory Board meeting in May, Bernstein was impressed by the number of politicians, activists, and committee members who were present.
“There is a strong sense of unity here on Staten Island, and everyone seems to know each other,” Bernstein added.
The shelter has also been receiving neighbors’ support through donations of clothing for the men who often arrive with little to no additional clothes. With the cold weather approaching, Bernstein is seeking in-kind donations of warm winter wear, including coats for men.
With all of the positives that have come from the first year, Bernstein says every day is a new day for her and her staff. She explains, “The ultimate measure of our success will always be to find the clients permanent housing.”
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To inquire about in-kind donations for the Tompkins Avenue Men’s Shelter, contact Samaritan Daytop Foundation. If you would like to deliver donations, please complete an in-kind donation form online.