Programs

PREVENTION AND OUTREACH

Street Outreach
GEMS staff travel to areas in New York City where commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking takes place to identify victims and offer them support

Facility Outreach
Peer led outreach workshops are conducted by GEMS members and former members in residential and detention facilities across New York City.  Workshops raise awareness about the realities of the commercial sex industry for girls and young women at risk for commercial sexual exploitation while also providing peer support and leadership.

Intervention
Each of GEMS intervention programs work with each girl and young women individually, provide referrals for health care and mental health care as needed, and help each young woman set goals and support her in taking action on them. Programs include:

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COURT ADVOCACY

Criminal Court
GEMS Alternatives to Incarceration program provides support for young women with cases in New York City’s Criminal Courts.  GEMS provides young women with information about their rights and the legal system, educates judges and lawyers about commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking, and provides one-on-one support for young women who receive an alternative sentence

Family Court
GEMS Family Court Advocacy Program provides programming for girls ages 12—16 years who have a case within New York City’s Family Court system.  GEMS provides one on one support for girls in the Family Court system, including meeting girls in residential facilities, meeting with families and facilities staff.

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HOLISTIC CASE MANAGEMENT

Counselors provide one-on-one support for girls and young women who are referred to GEMS programs.  One on one support can include:  mental health assessments, counseling, health care, acquiring identification or benefits, assistance with educational needs, family intervention and assistance in obtaining employment

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TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

Transitional Independent Living Housing Program provides housing and 24 hour support for young women ages 16-21 who meet DYCD’s criteria for housing under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program

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TRAUMA BASED THERAPY AND CLINICAL SUPPORT

GEMS Clinical Director provides one-on-one and group counseling for members.

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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

The Youth Development Program addresses young women’s developmental, social and emotional needs through strengths based programming.  Programs include:

Recreational, Educational and Therapeutic Groups including health education, poetry, art therapy, photography, cooking, creative writing, grief and loss therapy and drama to build young women’s creative expression and sense of community.

The Youth Employment Program/Youth Fellowship Program provides structured training and employment for members.

The Youth Leadership Program trains young women on the issue of sexual exploitation, domestic violence and youth incarceration and equips them with public speaking, peer counseling, organizing and advocacy skills. Youth Leaders are afforded multiple opportunities to develop their skills through outreach, public speaking events, advocacy, and media work.

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EDUCATIONAL MENTORING

The Educational Initiatives Program provides incentives for members who take the next step in their education, including registering for a GED, high school, college or vocational program, and completing semesters and graduating.  GEMS offers on-site tutoring and college bound clinics to support its members.