In Schenectady, there is a beacon of hope for young people experiencing homelessness.

Safe Inc. of Schenectady is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It is a community-based nonprofit that serves vulnerable, homeless, and at-risk individuals in Schenectady County. It is the only certified youth shelter in Schenectady County.

Safe Inc. provides outreach, case management, counseling, residential and other supportive services to individuals of all ages who are vulnerable to, or experiencing homelessness and/or human trafficking. Young people throughout Schenectady, Albany, and the Capitol Region depend on Safe Inc.

“The City of Schenectady, in the most recent academic year, identified 700 youth who were housing insecure for at least one day,” said Kevin Doherty, Executive Director, Safe Inc. of Schenectady. “People have a vision of homeless youth are youth on the streets, but frequently they’re not, they’re usually couch surfing, living in a series of places because home may not be a safe place for them.”

Safe Inc. provides access to emergency shelter or safe and stable housing for people in-crisis who are between 16 to 20 year olds in the City of Schenectady.

“There’s a big need out there and the more likely a youth is to be homeless, the more likely they are to do things that pose risks to their personal safety,” said Doherty. “The earlier we can intervene, the more likely we are to be able to help them.”

Many people who have stayed with or have been helped by Safe Inc. can attest to the support and guidance they provide.

“Had it not been for Safe Inc., I could almost guarantee I would probably not be alive,” said Michael Perdomo Melendez, who was a resident of Safe Inc. 10 years ago.

Melendez was born in the Bronx and had a tough childhood. It started with physical and emotional abuse, and life got harder as a teenager. He was abandoned by his mother more than once.

“We’re talking spending two years in juvie between the age of 12 going on 13 up until 15 years old, being gang affiliated from 15 to 17, in those two years, being shot, stabbed twice,” said Melendez.

When Melendez got to Safe Inc. at 18 years old, he thought it was the end of the world. It was actually the best thing that ever happened to him. Melendez was able to find his own place, get a job, and earn a college degree.

“It’s really hard to speak into words how much Safe Inc. has impacted me,” said Melendez. “I completely felt like there was really nothing else to live for but when I got here, I felt like I mattered and I felt like there was a future for me.”

Safe Inc. provides Melendez with the guidance, support, and knowledge to live a successful life. According to Doherty, that is the goal for every resident they serve.

“They’re kids and it’s not their fault where they are and it’s not their fault that they need a place to stay,” said Doherty. “Somebody has to provide them with a place to stay, we shouldn’t have 16 to 20 year old human people on the streets, so it’s important to us.”

Safe Inc. is hosting its annual Garden Party fundraiser and 40th anniversary celebration on Sunday, May 18th. It’s at Max410 at The Water’s Edge in Glenville.

Click here to learn more and/or donate to Safe Inc. of Schenectady.