Day One New York Inc

Results: In 2018, 14,000 people attended our preventive education workshops, including nearly 2,000 professionals and 12,000 students. Thanks to expanded capacity, we gave 736 workshops-- a 37% increase! On the direct services side, our staff provided over 2,500 social services, including 1,800 counseling sessions and 284 cases of emergency assistance. Our legal team also provided services to 22% percent more clients than the previous year.

Target demographics: Youth aged 24 and under

Direct beneficiaries per year: Over 15,000 youth and youth serving professionals

Geographic areas served: New York City

Programs: Day One’s Community Education brings interactive workshops to 15,000 youth and 3,000 adults each year in social service agencies, juvenile detention facilities and school settings. Our workshops support young people in developing a better understanding of the risks and impact of dating abuse along with relevant resources. We highlight accountability, the warning signs of abuse, and ways to navigate the justice system. Day One staff trains teachers in public schools, medical staff at local hospitals and social service providers to offer supportive guidance to youth who might disclose an abusive relationship. Trainings for professionals teach adults how to identify local resources, and incorporate skill-building exercises related to communicating successfully with young victims. Professionals expand the reach of our message by building safe learning environments with no tolerance for violence. In addition to community education, Day One’s presence in classrooms and youth programs links participants who have experienced abuse to immediate assistance offered by our Direct Services Program. Our Direct Services Program provides information, bilingual crisis counseling, case management, and legal representation in Family Courts and Integrated Domestic Violence Courts to young survivors of dating violence up to the age of 24. Individual and group counseling for young survivors help build the strength and stability for youth who have experienced trauma in their relationships. Day One’s advocacy in the criminal courts ensures district attorneys are aware of a victim’s needs, prioritize young victims as they would adults, and have the information they need to prosecute each case. Our social worker coordinates and staffs text messaging systems that enable young people to get confidential responses to questions about what constitutes a safe and healthy relationship.