Program Registration
We host a wide range of weekly classes and programs for New York City young people ages 12 to 24. See below for a list of program categories, as well as a registration form for each program, which is the quickest way to get more information and/or join a program. The first step to joining any of our programs is to become a Door member.
Career & Education
High School Equivalency (HSE)
Manhattan Youth Center
Manhattan Youth Center
The HSE program is a 20-week cohort that provides both academic instruction and internship opportunities to young people looking to obtain their high school equivalency diploma. There are two cohorts each year in February and September. Young people enrolled in this program can earn up to $375 weekly based on their internship attendance. Classes are held Monday through Thursday 9am to 1pm.
Pre-HSE Program
Manhattan Youth Center
The Pre-HSE program is a 20-week cohort at our Bronx Youth Center that provides both academic instruction opportunities to young people looking to obtain their high school equivalency diploma. There are two cohorts each year in February and September. Young People enrolled in this program can earn up to $150 weekly based on their academic attendance. Classes are held Monday through Thursday 9:00am to 1:00pm. This program is for young people who have been or currently are in foster care or have received services through a FAP program or a Juvenile Justice program.
For more information email Matt Sullivan, msullivan@door.org
Future Pathways
Manhattan Youth Center
Future Pathways is a comprehensive program that provides one-on-one support to help you prepare for a future at a college, vocational training program, or non-traditional secondary education program. Because you work with an individual counselor, we create plans based on any background and help you follow through to success.
Joining Future Pathways can help you figure out your post-graduation plans, whether that's college or career. For those looking to pursue a college path, we can help determine which school is right for you, find scholarships and financial aid, prepare for life in college, and if needed, help support you through the transfer application process!
Bronx Opportunity Network (BON)
Bronx Youth Center
Available at our Bronx Youth Center location, Bronx Opportunity Network (BON) is a network of community-based organizations and CUNY campuses that supports young people as they transition to community college. Services include preparation for entrance exams, enrollment assistance, and other support to help you succeed on campus.
Email byc@door.org for more information.
Advance and Earn—Woodlawn Preservation Training Program
Bronx Youth Center
Our 20-week training program offers a 10-week paid internship, MetroCards for transportation, certifications (OSHA, Site Safety, Manlift, and More), incentives for benchmarks throughout the program, and job placement assistance.
This program is for young adults interested in a career in masonry, landscaping, or construction. It is operated in partnership with The Door and the Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy with funding provided by DYCD Advance & Earn and The World Monuments Fund.
Email: Chris Iannelli, ciannelli@door.org
THE CUT—A Culinary Experience
Manhattan Youth Center
THE CUT—A Culinary Experience, in partnership with NYC Department of Labor, DIG, and Cava, is a unique culinary program offered at our Manhattan Youth Center.
Residents of NYC between the ages 17-24 who are out of school/work can apply. In 10 weeks, you will:
obtain ServSafe Food Handlers Certification
gain real-world kitchen experience
complete a 150-hour paid internship
learn, practice, and earn
Program participants can earn up to $2,250, and the skills-building curriculum includes resume writing; career advancement coaching; effective communication training and practice; completion of necessary tax forms with Human Resources Department through onboarding; and lessons in kitchen safety, knife skills, cooking techniques, and more from a trained Chef Instructor.
Contact Freya-Felix Vazquez with questions: fvazquez@door.org, call/text 917-696-3758
Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP)
Manhattan and Bronx Youth Center
The LEAP program is an additional layer of support for young people, 16-24 who self-disclose having contact with the justice system, foster care system, or experienced homelessness and are interested in one of our post-secondary programs. Young people are connected to LEAP services if they have completed their High School Equivalency with The Door and are interested in enrolling in one of our post-secondary programs, or they already have their HSE and are currently enrolled in one of our post-secondary programs. The post-secondary bridge programs that we support include-EMT, TechBridge, Bridge to College, and Woodlawn. We host Bridge to College courses across both our Bronx and Manhattan sites. As a member of LEAP participants receive:
* Extra one-on-one support
* Additional monetary incentives
* Leadership opportunities
* If you complete your HSE with us you are eligible for $150.00 HSE completion incentive. If you want to matriculate through one of our Bridge programs, you are eligible for 5 check-ins at $25.00 each between the completion of your HSE and the start of your bridge of interest.
* Support for 10 months post completion of your bridge program. During that first-year post completion of the bridge, participants are provided a check-in per month where they receive support from a staff person and an incentive of $50.00
The Academy (for foster care youth only)
Bronx Youth Center
The Academy is a unique program designed to support youth who have experience with the Foster Care System (preventive services, currently in care, aged out of care). The comprehensive yet flexible structure offers individualized academic and employment service, PAID Internships, support through case management, life skills groups, work readiness workshops, and supportive counseling.
Email academy@door.org
This Way ONward
Manhattan & Bronx Youth Centers
This program is for young people ages 16–24 who want to gain job and leadership skills, whether they are in or out of school. Being part of This Way Ahead will require participation in regular workshops led by both Door coaches and employees from some of our partner companies. You’ll learn about possible careers and work on the skills you need for a future job. It entails a 4-week pre-training and a 6-week boot camp. Those young people who successfully complete the training will have the opportunity to interview for a PAID 10-week internship at Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic stores. This Way ONward training runs in two sessions: March to June and June to October.
Info Sessions:
Manhattan Youth Center, Tuesday–Thursday, 4:30pm & 5:30pm; email: careerservicesinquiry@door.org
Bronx Youth Center: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4:30pm, email: BYC@door.org
Advance and Earn Plus: Solar One
Bronx Youth Center
Enrollment for this 5-week program takes place twice a year in February and September at Solar One in Long Island City. This is an opportunity for young people, 18-24 who have their High School Equivalency or High School Diploma AND have been or currently are in Foster Care or have received services through a FAP program or a Juvenile Justice program to earn credentials, including an OSHA 30 and participate in a training that will introduce them to the field of green construction. This program is followed by 20 weeks of internship and job placement support into the field.
Email: Matt Sullivan, msullivan@door.org
Youth Council
Manhattan Youth Center
The Door's Youth Council is a group of active Door Members interested in developing their leadership skills and giving back to The Door community. The Council is an eight-month long commitment and if selected, members will earn $15 hourly.
Broome Street Academy Charter High School
Manhattan Youth Center
Broome Street Academy Charter High School is housed within its partner agency, The Door. Our unique collaboration provides students with opportunities that they would not find in a traditional school setting with access to The Door’s complete range of programming.
Health & Nutrition
THE CUT—A Culinary Experience
Manhattan Youth Center
THE CUT—A Culinary Experience, in partnership with NYC Department of Labor, DIG, and Cava, is a unique culinary program offered at our Manhattan Youth Center.
Residents of NYC between the ages 17-24 who are out of school/work can apply. In 10 weeks, you will:
obtain ServSafe Food Handlers Certification
gain real-world kitchen experience
complete a 150-hour paid internship
learn, practice, and earn
Program participants can earn up to $2,250, and the skills-building curriculum includes resume writing; career advancement coaching; effective communication training and practice; completion of necessary tax forms with Human Resources Department through onboarding; and lessons in kitchen safety, knife skills, cooking techniques, and more from a trained Chef Instructor.
Contact Freya-Felix Vazquez with questions: fvazquez@door.org, call/text 917-696-3758
Food Pantry & To-Go Meals
Manhattan & Bronx Youth Centers
Food pantry and to-go meals available Monday–Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm and Saturday, 10:00am– 6:00pm. Food pantry items are also available Monday–Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm at our Bronx Youth Center.
Community Dinners
Manhattan Youth Center
We host community dinners daily, Monday–Friday, 4:30pm–5:30pm, in our 2nd Floor cafeteria. In addition to providing free, healthy, and delicious meals made by our kitchen staff for our young people, these congregate meals offer a warm space for young people and staff to gather together as a community at the end of each day.
Peer Educators
Manhattan Youth Center
The Peer Education program is a health education-outreach program for young people interested in promoting positive lifestyle choices among fellow Door members, students, and young adults. The program usually has 8–10 peers at a time.
Legal & Immigration
Criminal Law Clinic
Virtual Sessions – Appointment Required (email & phone)
Virtual Sessions, Appointment Required. A longtime volunteer attorney at our Legal Services Center oversees this weekly law clinic for Door members navigating the criminal justice system, offering information and advice on any criminal law questions, including summons, tickets, missed court dates, warrants, ongoing cases, or past criminal matters. Email legalhelp@door.org to schedule an appointment.
Runaway and Homeless Youth Legal Clinic
Manhattan Youth Center
every Wednesday, 1:00pm-2:00pm, 1st Floor. Door members in need of free, confidential brief legal advice or referrals can get information about transit offenses and tickets; general information on pending criminal matters (warrants, name of public defender, upcoming appearances); name changes; public benefits; education and special education; legal issues with employment; family law; foster care; obtaining personal identification; immigration; debt; and other topics.
Emancipation Clinic
Manhattan Youth Center
In-person intake, usually every other Thursday, 5:30pm-7:30pm, 3rd Floor. To schedule appointments, email Celina Munoz at cmunoz@door.org.
Arts & Recreation
Ceramics
Manhattan Youth Center
Every Monday, 2:30-4:30pm, Room 203. Ceramics classes are led weekly by Teaching Artist Gabrielle Tang.
Cosmetology
Manhattan Youth Center
Every Wednesday, 1:00pm-5:00pm, Room 203. Our weekly cosmetology sessions are hosted by Teaching Artist Lyric.
Drama Club
Manhattan Youth Center
Every Monday, 4:00pm-6:00pm, 2nd Floor Dance Studio & every Wednesday, 4:00pm-6:00pm, Room 316 & 326, hosted by Drama Club Staff.
Supportive Services
Food Pantry & To-Go Meals
Manhattan & Bronx Youth Centers
Food pantry and to-go meals available Monday–Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm and Saturday, 10:00am– 6:00pm. Food pantry items are also available Monday–Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm at our Bronx Youth Center.
Clothing, Hygiene, Showers & Laundry
Manhattan Youth Center
Clothing, hygiene items, showers, and laundry are available Monday-Saturday at our Manhattan Youth Center. Monday-Friday, 9:00am-6:00pm, Saturday, 10:00am-6:00pm.
General
Center Space
Manhattan Youth Center
Monday-Friday, 2:00pm-6:00pm, Center Space (1st Floor). Center Space, located on the first floor at our Manhattan Youth Center, is a safe, warm, and welcoming place for Door youth members to relax, hang out, and participate in activities with other young people. Recreational offerings can include gaming, wellness activities, monthly open mic sessions, creative writing, Motivation Mondays, and TGI-Fridays.