The Try Program: Teaching and Restoring Youth
Teaching and Restoring Youth, TRY, has been serving young women in Buffalo since 1997. However, the roots of the program date back to 1990.The TRY Program literally opened its doors in December, 1997 after 7 long years of planning, fund raising and preparation. In the years since TRY opened its doors, more than 350 young women have been in residence.
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FAQs
Q: What Is The TRY Program?
A: TRY is a transitional housing program with 24 hour supervision for young women. Our home offers a loving, structured environment to women who are homeless and suffered from abuse, violence and victimization.
Q: What makes TRY unique as an intervention
and treatment program?
A: TRY 's success is driven by the program's mission and the commitment of the residents and staff to truly change lives around. The program requirements create a structure which nurtures self-direction and yet provides an experience of community, belonging and worth which many residents have never felt in their lives. Many of our residents have "fallen through the cracks" of the legal and social service interventions. At TRY, we help them navigate those services with individualized case management. We work together with local agencies, the courts, psychologists, doctors, educators and law enforcement personnel to assist young women in making positive decisions to turn their lives around. Our girls come from all over Western New York; the common denominator in their life experience is terribly--the experience of victimization, lost dignity and hopelessness.
Q: Who Is Eligible For The TRY Program?
A: Young women between the ages of 16 and 21 who are homeless and who have suffered from or are at risk for abuse, violence and victimization and are serious about rebuilding their lives.
Q: How Long Is The Program?
A: The anticipated stay is 6 months to one year.
Q: What Is Required Of Participants In The TRY Program?
A: Participants in the TRY Program are required to:
- Complete a high school education or enroll in a 2 or 4 year college or job training program
- Participate in individual counseling and if necessary family counseling
- Engage in meaningful community service
- Participate in all group activities (social/recreational/workshops)
- Work toward the development of independent living skills
- Work toward a sense of community with other residents
- Participate in necessary medical evaluations
Q: What Is The Referral Process For The TRY Program?
A: Self referrals are accepted, as well as referrals from the courts and community agencies. To make a referral, complete the Client Information Form and forward to the case manager at TRY. She will promptly set up an initial interview with the young woman to tour the house, learn more about the program, and to assess her suitability for admission. After this first meeting, a second interview will be set to meet with the Director who will make the final decision on acceptance. For further information,
Q: What Happens After You Leave TRY?
A: When a young woman is ready to leave TRY, she is assisted in finding a safe, permanent living situation. Follow-up and after-care are provided.
TRY offers case management, information and links to:
- Job training
- Housing
- Employment
- Educational opportunities
Q: What Is The TRY Program?
A: TRY is a transitional housing program with 24 hour supervision for young women. Our home offers a loving, structured environment to women who are homeless and suffered from abuse, violence and victimization.
Q: What makes TRY unique as an intervention
and treatment program?
A: TRY 's success is driven by the program's mission and the commitment of the residents and staff to truly change lives around. The program requirements create a structure which nurtures self-direction and yet provides an experience of community, belonging and worth which many residents have never felt in their lives. Many of our residents have "fallen through the cracks" of the legal and social service interventions. At TRY, we help them navigate those services with individualized case management. We work together with local agencies, the courts, psychologists, doctors, educators and law enforcement personnel to assist young women in making positive decisions to turn their lives around. Our girls come from all over Western New York; the common denominator in their life experience is terribly--the experience of victimization, lost dignity and hopelessness.
Q: Who Is Eligible For The TRY Program?
A: Young women between the ages of 16 and 21 who are homeless and who have suffered from or are at risk for abuse, violence and victimization and are serious about rebuilding their lives.
Q: How Long Is The Program?
A: The anticipated stay is 6 months to one year.
Q: What Is Required Of Participants In The TRY Program?
A: Participants in the TRY Program are required to:
- Complete a high school education or enroll in a 2 or 4 year college or job training program
- Participate in individual counseling and if necessary family counseling
- Engage in meaningful community service
- Participate in all group activities (social/recreational/workshops)
- Work toward the development of independent living skills
- Work toward a sense of community with other residents
- Participate in necessary medical evaluations
Q: What Is The Referral Process For The TRY Program?
A: Self referrals are accepted, as well as referrals from the courts and community agencies. To make a referral, complete the Client Information Form and forward to the case manager at TRY. She will promptly set up an initial interview with the young woman to tour the house, learn more about the program, and to assess her suitability for admission. After this first meeting, a second interview will be set to meet with the Director who will make the final decision on acceptance. For further information,
Q: What Happens After You Leave TRY?
A: When a young woman is ready to leave TRY, she is assisted in finding a safe, permanent living situation. Follow-up and after-care are provided.
TRY offers case management, information and links to:
- Job training
- Housing
- Employment
- Educational opportunities
See below for a referral form. It can be returned to program director Lisa Sankey.
| client_info_form.pdf.ugd.pdf |
Our Board of Directors
The TRY Board plays a key role in determining the direction of the organization. The Board, created by Sr. Mary Augusta Kaiser, guides TRY as the organization grows and faces new challenges.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or feedback.
Maryellen Kloss, President
Sr. Mary Augusta Kaiser, SSJ, Vice President
Jean Ranney, Secretary
Sr. Maureen Danahy, SSJ, Treasurer
Diana Gianadda, OSF
Sr. Janet DiPasquale, SSJ
Dena Owens
Sarah Tanbakuchi
Lynda Tarantino
Men and women from all walks of professional life in WNY serve on the TRY Program Board. The Board members bring a wide range of expertise helping to determine the direction of the organization. Together, Board members actively contribute to the daily function and the ongoing mission of TRY. Click above to review the board membership or contact us for more information.
The TRY Board plays a key role in determining the direction of the organization. The Board, created by Sr. Mary Augusta Kaiser, guides TRY as the organization grows and faces new challenges.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or feedback.
Maryellen Kloss, President
Sr. Mary Augusta Kaiser, SSJ, Vice President
Jean Ranney, Secretary
Sr. Maureen Danahy, SSJ, Treasurer
Diana Gianadda, OSF
Sr. Janet DiPasquale, SSJ
Dena Owens
Sarah Tanbakuchi
Lynda Tarantino
Men and women from all walks of professional life in WNY serve on the TRY Program Board. The Board members bring a wide range of expertise helping to determine the direction of the organization. Together, Board members actively contribute to the daily function and the ongoing mission of TRY. Click above to review the board membership or contact us for more information.