Youth Services
Program Overview
Connections to Care: Building Resilience in Youth | C2C:BRY
HSNY’s Youth Services program, Connections to Care: Building Resilience in Youth (C2C:BRY), addresses the growing mental health needs of young people in the Bronx by integrating mental health support into trusted community-based settings. The program is part of the broader Connections to Care initiative, which strengthens community-based mental health support for low-income New Yorkers.
C2C:BRY responds to an urgent need. According to Montefiore Medical Center, one in five youth in the Bronx experiences mental health challenges. Many young people face daily stressors, including academic pressure, exposure to community and domestic violence, bullying, substance use, and suicidal ideation. These challenges are often compounded by poverty, food and housing insecurity, and stigma surrounding mental health care.
By meeting youth where they are and embedding support within familiar environments, C2C:BRY reduces barriers to care and builds resilience before crises escalate.
Who We Serve
C2C serves three primary populations of low-income New Yorkers in South Bronx:
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Parents and caregivers who are expecting or who have children up to age four
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Young adults ages 16 to 24 who are not in school and not working
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Adults age 18 or older who are unemployed or underemployed
These populations come from communities with limited access to mental health services and are at a heightened risk of trauma and housing instability.
HSNY engages youth in schools, family shelters, and partner organization sites such as BronxWorks. This ensures that C2C meets our clients where they are to create safe and familiar spaces that foster trust, participation, and continuity of care.
Services & Support
C2C:BRY delivers non-clinical mental health support through partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) that already provide trusted social services, such as domestic violence support and job readiness programs.
The program uses a “task-shifting” approach, an evidence-based model that expands access to mental health support by training non-clinical staff. Through this model:
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CBO staff receive training, coaching, and ongoing support from mental health provider partners
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Staff deliver non-medical mental health supports and early identification
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Youth are assessed and referred to higher levels of care when needed
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Services are integrated into existing youth-facing programs to reduce stigma
This approach strengthens community capacity while expanding access to mental health resources.
Impact & Benefits
Participation in C2C:BRY helps youth build resilience, develop coping skills, and access mental health support in environments they trust. By addressing mental health needs early, the program reduces barriers to care, mitigates the effects of trauma, and supports emotional well-being.
The program also plays a critical role in preventing future crises, including school disengagement, homelessness, and involvement with emergency systems. For many youth, C2C:BRY provides a first connection to mental health support and a foundation for long-term stability.
Referrals & Eligibility
Youth may be referred to C2C:BRY through partner community-based organizations, schools, HSNY programs, or family shelters. Eligibility is based on age, residency, and program participation criteria.