Dean Street Staff with Youthbuild Trainees “Together we aspire... Together we achieve.”

Through teamwork we continuously encourage, assist, and motivate the families within our facility. We encourage them to empower themselves through education, family unity, job readiness and budgeting so that they are able to return to the community with independence and stability of daily living. All residents are welcomed by a compassionate and dedicated staff, who work as a collective team for the betterment of our clientele.

PROGRAM HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY

The Dean Street Family Residence is located at 2155 Dean Street in Brownsville, Brooklyn. It was opened in 1987 and has since serviced approximately 300 families. Dean Street is a 12 unit Tier II facility, comprised of one to five bedrooms, with two baths and cooking facilities. This facility was established as a social service agency to provide a variety of services for the homeless population. Our main objective is to teach our residents life skills relating to money management, paying bills on time, family stability, and the motivation to empower themselves so that they will not return to the homeless system.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Dean Street Family Residence is a unique program, because it is one of the few residences in New York City that provides services to extremely large families; the average family size ranges from three to fifteen people per household.

We provide case management on site, a Board of Education representative who is a facilitator between parents, children and the schools. There is a recreational specialist who accompanies children on trips, assists with the children’s homeworkand encourages reading and one-on-one tutoring according to the needs of the children.

In addition, we have an on site housing specialist who first identifies the families' cause and effect of their homelessness, and develops a plan to allow them to overcome these obstacles so that they are better able to manage in permanent housing. We also teach them responsibility and respect for themselves and others, coping and resolution skills, maintaining an apartment and job readiness. We also conduct mock interviews, assists in the preparation of resumes and advise  our residents about professional attire and dressing for success.

SERVICES PROVIDED

THE DELIA GILHOOLY FOUNDATION

The Delia Gilhooly Foundation began in the year 2000 to honor the memory of Ms. Delia Gilhooly who loved children.  Ms. Gilhooly adopted the Children of Dean Street as one of her projects, and since her passing, the Foundation has continued to donate funds to help the children at Dean Street realize some of their fundamental needs and childhood wishes. Delia worked at the AXA Corporate Solutions, and to keep her memory alive, the Foundation was formed by employees at AXA.  One employee donated the first $5,000 to get the Foundation started. Through the Gilhooly Family and AXA, the Foundation has continued to grow and to bring joy to our Dean Street children each year.

The Dean Street shelter has been the recipient of  many cultural events and recreational activities, Christmas gifts and donations through AXA and the Delia Gilhooly Foundation.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Foundation should contact:

The Delia Gilhooly Foundation, 81 Fruit Street, Norfolk, MA 02056

Thank you.

Dean Street Staff	Easter baskets for Dean Street's kids

“ It takes a community to raise a family.”