LEGAL SERVICES
​Need legal support? The Free to Be Youth Project provides free LGBTQ+ specific legal services for unhoused and at-risk youth (14-24 years old) across New York City.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Attend one of our client intakes with the Ali Forney Center, Hetrick Martin Institute, LGBT Center of Manhattan, Safe Horizon’s Streetwork Project, Pride Center of Staten Island, or Callen-Lorde Community Health Center.
Immigration Services
We support youth seeking legal immigration status through a variety of pathways, including asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), T-Visas, and U-Visas. Immigration advice varies on a case-by-case basis. Consult with one of our legal advocates to determine the best pathway for you.
Employment Advocacy
We provide legal advocacy and support in wage and hour violations, and workplace discrimination.
Public Benefits Advocacy
We help clients who encounter legal issues with public assistance. Our support services include SNAP or food stamps, cash assistance, housing subsidies (Section 8, FHEPs, CityFHEPs, and HASA), supplemental security income (SSI), social security disability (SSD), and more.
Document Replacement
We help navigate the challenges of obtaining official identity documents including NYC IDs, birth certificates, and more.
Name & Gender Marker Updates
We provide assistance with legal name and gender marker changes to reflect an individual's chosen identity.
Shelter & Housing Advocacy
We work with youth that reside in, and out, of homeless shelters. We help navigate legal barriers that arise with housing vouchers, obtaining repairs to ensure a safe and habitable home, and advocate for clients that find themselves faced with the threat of legal action that jeopardizes their right to housing.