Westhab is committed to providing the necessary tools to empower homeless and at-risk youth to break out of a cycle of poverty and hopelessness, and become successful and self-sufficient adults.

Every year approximately 1,000 children and young adults participate in our programs, and we approach every moment as a learning opportunity with every child. We take great care and pride in finding the best individuals to work with the young people we serve, and we provide ongoing training to ensure that optimum services are provided. We know that we often represent the last hope for the vulnerable young people we serve, and we take this responsibility very seriously.

Westhab has been designing and implementing successful programs addressing the specific, multiple needs of homeless children and teens in our family shelters for many years. We continue to provide comprehensive youth programming at the Coachman Family Center in White Plains, the one remining large family homeless shelter in Westchester County.

Additionally, we have opened community-based youth centers in two of Westchester's most underserved communities. The Elm Street Neighborhood Center opened in September 2006 and serves children and young adults ages 5-21 living in the Nodine Hill neighborhood of Southwest Yonkers. The Promoting Excellence and Achievement in Kids (PEAK) Center opened in January 2008, and serves teens and young adults ages 13-21 in Mount Vernon.

Westhab also operates the case management component of the City of Yonkers' Ceasefire Initiative, to help gang-involved young men sever their gang ties and build alternative, productive life styles. All of these programs succeed because they are staffed by consistent, caring, responsible adult staff who connect with young people in a meaningful way, engage them in activities that promote their strengths, and expose them to a world of opportunities. We teach young people that they have the right to dream, and that with hard work and determination they can reach their goals.