Governor Hochul Announces $7.5 Million for Youth Safe Spaces Across New York

Governor Kathy Hochul revealed that $7.5 million will be distributed to four nonprofit organizations to establish Youth Safe Spaces aimed at addressing the mental health needs of adolescents and young adults. The funding, managed by the state Office of Mental Health (OMH), will support peer-led, non-clinical programs for individuals ages 12 to 24. These centers will provide supportive environments where young people can access resources, connect with peers, and find guidance while navigating challenges to their mental well-being.

“Young New Yorkers today are facing significant mental health pressures that can push them to the edge of crisis,” Governor Hochul said. “By establishing Youth Safe Spaces throughout our state, we can help our children connect with one another and be supported in an environment that promotes positive mental well-being.”

The Safe Spaces model is designed to create inclusive, peer-focused environments that decrease isolation, foster positive connections, and link youth to a variety of supports. While not clinical in nature, these programs complement professional care and address barriers - such as financial, cultural, or systemic issues - that often prevent access to treatment.

Funding recipients include:

(1) LaSalle School Inc. – $500,000 annually for five years to open a program at the Conroy Building in Albany.

(2) AIDS Center of Queens County – $500,000 annually for five years to launch a site at 62-07 Woodside Avenue in Queens.

(3) Delphi Drug and Alcohol Council of Wayne County – $250,000 annually for five years to operate the Alex Eligh Community Center in Newark.

(4) Friends of the CanTeen – $250,000 annually for five years to expand services at the CanTeen of Central New York in Cicero.

The state describes these locations as accessible community hubs, such as schools and youth centers, where participants can find mental health resources, develop leadership skills, and build resilience. By reducing stigma and promoting equity, the programs are intended to meet the needs of youth in communities facing systemic challenges.

OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan praised the initiative:

“Our youth can benefit greatly from having a place where they can build positive relationships with their peers and learn how to be resilient when they encounter mental health challenges. Youth Safe Spaces offer this supportive environment, which can help young New Yorkers find their voice and become leaders in their community. By seeding this program throughout our state, Governor Hochul is again demonstrating her full commitment to helping young people address the many complex and evolving challenges to their mental health that they face today.”

The program stems from insights gathered during Hochul’s Youth Mental Health Listening Tour, which culminated in New York’s first Youth Mental Health Summit in 2023. It was further shaped by recommendations from the state’s Youth Mental Health Advisory Board, OMH feedback sessions, and Youth Recovery Clubhouses supported by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).

OASAS Commissioner Dr. Chinazo Cunningham noted, “Adolescence is a time of significant change, which can put young people at an increased risk of mental health and substance use disorders. Governor Hochul has taken significant steps to address these issues and increase services across the state, and this initiative will provide further support for young people in need.”

This investment builds on Hochul’s broader $1 billion mental health initiative and her FY 2025 Budget, which expanded mental health services across New York. As part of the FY 2026 Budget, she also advanced a statewide standard banning smartphone use in classrooms during the school day, requiring “bell-to-bell” cellphone restrictions in K-12 schools starting this fall.

Other youth-focused measures include creating 10 additional Youth Assertive Community Treatment teams to support children with severe emotional disturbances, adding to 20 existing teams across 27 counties and expanding school-based mental health clinics with 71 new satellite sites funded last year, 40 of which are in high-needs districts.

Hochul also signed the Safe for Kids Act restricting addictive social media feeds for minors and the New York Child Data Protection Act which prevents companies from collecting or selling personal data from those under 18 without consent or necessity.

State lawmakers praised the Safe Spaces initiative:

Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said, “Children and young adults should be able to receive care and have safe community spaces, and I am proud to have helped secure funding for such a location in Western Queens. These resources will transform the care provided within our community, and ensure our neighbors receive quality care close to home.”

Senator Jeremy Cooney added, “Now more than ever, our youth need access to safe environments where they can receive much-needed mental health resources. I want to thank Governor Hochul for tackling our mental health epidemic head on and delivering for youth across our state.”

Senator Christopher Ryan emphasized, “Supporting the mental health of our young people must be a top priority, and I am proud that Friends of the CanTeen is receiving this critical investment. For years, the CanTeen has been a trusted space where teens can gather, find support, and know they are not alone. With this funding, they will be able to expand that mission through the Youth Safe Spaces program, giving our kids the resources, connections, and encouragement they need to thrive. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and the Office of Mental Health for recognizing the importance of this work and for investing in the future of our community.”

Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “The Youth Safe Spaces program is not only a necessity to protect young people’s mental health, but a perfect fit to the CanTeen’s core mission. Since its inception, the CanTeen has always provided young adults in our community with a safe space, helping them feel seen, supported, and accepted among their peers. These resources will allow the facility to expand the services they currently offer by increasing programming during school breaks, growing their staff, and expanding the program to past participants. Over the next five years, I am excited to see the CanTeen grow alongside the young adult community that it serves.”

Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon remarked, “Creating safe spaces for young adults is vital to reducing isolation and stigma, and ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive. By fostering peer connection in community-based settings, Youth Safe Spaces will help children navigate challenges and strengthen their mental health. I commend Governor Hochul for her commitment to protecting the mental health of young people and investing in their futures.”

Assemblymember Steven Raga stated, “Meeting our kids' needs doesn’t just mean making sure they have food and a roof over their heads; it also means making sure they’re getting mental health support. Stigma around mental health persists in so many cultures, so it’s important we meet our youth where they’re at. That’s why I am elated to see statewide initiatives such as the Youth safe spaces so we can better support our children. I am grateful for Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for their leadership in securing initiatives that protect and put our children first. I’m excited for my constituents to be able to access mental health resources, support and programming so they can live happier and healthier lives.”

Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero concluded, “I am grateful to Governor Hochul's investment in the holistic wellbeing of young people in our community. With LaSalle School here in Albany receiving funding to launch a new Youth Safe Space, our youth will have access to safe, inclusive, and supportive environments where they can connect with peers and get the resources they need. Addressing youth mental health requires a commitment to breaking down barriers, reducing stigma, and meeting young people where they are, and this initiative does exactly that. I look forward to seeing how this program strengthens our community and supports the next generation.”

Governor Hochul Announces $7.5 Million for Youth Safe Spaces Across New York