City Investigating Home for LGBT Youth

Photo by: CUNY

A still image from a video shot by a resident at Gramercy Residence. The exact circumstances of the scene aren’t known, but there are complaints about the use of force at the facility.

A group home for young runaways run by a prominent nonprofit is under scrutiny as current and former residents say staffers there used excessive force, engaged in sexual misconduct and mismanaged residents’ finances.

The Administration for Children’s Services tells City Limits that it is investigating the allegations leveled against the Gramercy Residence run by Green Chimneys.

Up to 40 percent of homeless youth are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, and the unique needs of that population were the focus of a recent White House-sponsored conference. Green Chimneys is a leader in the field of supporting at-risk youth.

The organization did not speak to us on camera, but while the the video report below was being edited, did provide the following statement:

“The care and safety of the youth at our Gramercy group residence is the primary concern of Green Chimneys’ New York City division staff and agency administration. We take all allegations very seriously and have done a careful investigation into the recent claims. We have a consistently strong record of service and a long history of providing care and support to our residents. Our fully trained staff follow all agency and program policies and procedures, which serve to maintain a safe and supportive environment for our youth, and we immediately address any reported issues as mandated by the City and State agencies to which we are accountable.”