Thoughts of homeless youth commonly bring about images of food lines, shanty beds and temporary solutions to a growing problem. But, one Manhattan team is approaching the epidemic in a new, holistic way.
What began in 2004 as a start-up project for team Taz Tagore and Adam Bucko with a mission to help homeless and at-risk youth has evolved into a service organization called Reciprocity Foundation that services young people at what they call the first-ever holistic center for homeless youth. Through Tagore and Bucko's "whole person approach" they believe nurturing a young person's mind, heart and spirit and "seeing them as a Whole Human Being" is fundamental to solving their housing problems.
Reciprocity's intake process begins by assessing client needs, physically, mentally, financially and spiritually. Then, a short and long term "plan to change" is developed to keep youth off of the streets. Clients are encouraged to participate in meditation, yoga, massage and art in addition to classroom based instruction and education programs. While many of Reciprocity's 100 or so clients are LGBT homeless and at-risk youth, services are open to all.
The organization's founders admit that youth effected by homelessness don't "shake off" the setbacks in their lives easily and so a mindful approach to change is essential to their long-term well-being. For Tagore and Bucko, the task isn't just getting them above the poverty line, but arming them with the confidence they need to develop sustainable livelihoods and careers.
Good luck to everyone who is helping these poor people.