NEW YORK—Finding it difficult to get on his feet after a decade in jail for committing robbery, Wesley turned to a homeless shelter in Chelsea. He became one of the first waves of residents at the Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC) shelter when it opened amid much controversy a year ago.
“So far, it has helped me a lot,” Wesley said. “If a client really wants the help, they'll help; it’s effective depending on the person.”
Next week, Wesley is scheduled to move into permanent housing. Residents only remain at the shelter for a year, after which they move into permanent housing or receive further treatment at a hospital.
A year into its tenure on 25th Street, between Sixth and Seventh avenues, the shelter is the newest facility for BRC—an organization that works with the Department of Homeless Services. “Our programs empower our clients with the knowledge and skills to permanently overcome poverty, addiction, physical and mental illness, homelessness, and unemployment,” the BRC website says.
The Chelsea shelter has 200 permanent beds for overnight stays. Adding its daytime programs, the 12-story building is filled with 328 beds, according to BRC.
Although BRC’s substance abuse and mental illness treatment programs do not provide beds, there is room for 65 men and women who seek help for substance abuse on a daily basis, and 35 men and women who seek mental stability assistance.
Other BRC shelters are located in the Bowery, Harlem, Lower East Side, Bed-Stuy, and NoHo.
