Older Adult Women's Shelter Celebrates First Year

When the Northern Boulevard Women’s Shelter in Douglaston, Queens, opened its doors in August 2023, it was to a hearty welcome by the local community.

Like housewarming gifts, donations and notes of goodwill came flooding in. Baskets of clothes, toiletries, towels, and bedding arrived at the shelter, with community members offering their support.

“There were donations from local schools, Girl Scout troops, churches, and businesses,” said Program Director Robin Glenn.

New York City Council Member Vickie Paladino toured the facility the following week. She then stepped outside the front door and recorded a glowing review and personal endorsement of the facility, which she posted onto her X/Twitter account.

“It is absolutely beautiful inside,” said Paladino, in her posted video. “You will not be disappointed. They have come through at every point at every level to deliver the best for you here in Douglaston and Little Neck.”

It was a welcome experience for Glenn who does not often see such a positive reception to shelter openings. A 20-year veteran of the industry, Glenn had previously worked with nonprofits, including Samaritan Daytop Village, to manage several shelters.

Plans to open a shelter in the Douglaston, Queens community were initially questioned by residents. “There were many Town Hall meetings,” said Glenn. “The residents were concerned about who was coming into the community. We kept an open line of communications, shared information, and answered questions.”

Glenn said once they learned the clients would be women 50 and over who are most likely victims of trauma, the residents were more open to the shelter’s placement in the neighborhood.

Council Member Paladino, who supported the shelter at a Town Hall meeting, lauded the open lines of communication among Samaritan Daytop Village, the NYC Department of Social Services, Queens Community Board 11, local civic organizations, and her office.

“It’s reassuring to know that the women at the shelter have access to the help they need whenever it’s required,” said Paladino in a social media post on July 31. “We will continue to work together to ensure community partnerships are maintained.”

Before her promotion to the Northern Boulevard site, Glenn oversaw clinical services and operations for the agency’s Greenpoint YMCA Annex for Men where the census more than doubled from 57 in 2019 to 120 in 2023.

The 75-bed Douglaston shelter was a first for Samaritan Daytop Village. Although the nonprofit had plenty of experience managing shelters for women, it was the agency’s first time overseeing a client population based on an older adult age category.

Glenn found that the women at Douglaston typically shared similar life experiences that had led them to unstable housing. Some examples were:

• Not wanting to live with their adult children or their children’s families
• Being recently divorced, separated, or widowed and not knowing how to live independently
• Being unable to pay rent and expenses despite receiving disability, unemployment, or social security

Providing a full continuum of services, the staff assists older adult women with case management, housing and legal assistance, employment, and job training, and primary care through a partnership with Samaritan Daytop Health in the Bronx. A Recreational Services Coordinator provides opportunities to socialize and exercise. An on-site Social Worker refers the women to additional services not offered at the shelter such as treatment for substance use and mental health disorders.

To support the clients’ varied needs, the staff also includes an Assistant Program Director, Director of Operations, Facilities Coordinator, Case Managers, Housing Specialists, Employment Specialist, Recreational Specialist, Residence Workers, Shift Supervisors, Security, Maintenance Workers, Food Service Workers, and Cook. (There are currently a few job openings at the location. If interested in applying, refer to the agency’s Job Listings. Or, learn more about working at Samaritan Daytop Village on the Careers page.)

For the one-year anniversary, the shelter staff and clients celebrated with a special dinner cooked by the kitchen staff.

As Fall turns to Winter, Glenn says there will be a need for warm winter clothing donations, especially coats. There are plans to have a coat drive and the staff plan to start promoting the drive in the coming months.

To inquire about in-kind donations for Northern Boulevard Shelter, contact Samaritan Daytop Foundation. If you would like to deliver donations, please complete an in-kind donation form online.