Visions and Pathways has been helping abused, neglected and homeless youth since 1973. Each year, hundreds of teens from difficult family situations find a safe haven and the caring support they need in one of our seven programs for youth ages 13 to 21-plus.

Incorporated in 1970, Visions and Pathways was New Jersey’s first private 501(c)(3) non-profit youth shelter. Our mission is to provide abused, neglected, homeless and missing youth with housing, a stable environment and supportive services that help them become self-sufficient.

Since our inception, we have helped over 12,000 youth throughout New Jersey. We currently provide the following programs for youth and their families:

Brahma House
Brahma House is a short-term group home for families experiencing crisis. The residential crisis intervention program with expanded clinical services was founded in 1973 and provides services for boys and girls ages 13-17.

Services Provided include:

• Food and shelter
• Crisis counseling
• Individual and family counseling
• Drug abuse assessments
• Case management
• Independent-Living skills education
• Access to health care
• Arts and recreation
• In-House education
• Transportation
• Advocacy and referral services
• Outreach and aftercare

My Place and Whitney House
Residential transitional living programs for five males and five females, ages 18 to 21 who continue to need support services as they “age out” of the foster care system. They attend school, hold a part-time jobs, and learn financial literacy and other independent-living skills to prepare them for independence.

Passages (est. 1988).
A residential transitional living program for 10 young men and women, ages 16 to 21. While in residence, they are expected to finish school and work part-time. They also learn independent-living skills such as food preparation, financial literacy, and finding housing and employment--tools to equip them to live independently when they leave.

Transitional Learning Center (TLC).
A program that ensures that our youth’s educational needs are met by; (a) providing in-house instruction, (b) coordinating with youth residing in a Visions and Pathways residential program’s current school, and (c) working with the new school district that youth will transfer into due to an extended stay in a Visions and Pathways residence.

Arts and Recreation Program
A program that provides youth connected access to visual and performing arts, recreational, and physical fitness programming in order to encourage learning, improve mental and physical health, and foster an appreciation of the arts.

Street Smart (www.streetsmartoutreach.org).
Services for runaway and homeless youth ages 13-21 in Central and Northern New Jersey. 

Eligibility:

• Adolescents between ages 13-24 who may be homeless, runaway, or living in unsafe environments
• Youth who have been or are at risk of being sexually abused or exploited
• Youth who have been or are at risk of being labor exploited 

Street Smart Counselors provide:

• Food, clothing, and blankets
• Easy access to shelter
• Crisis Intervention counseling
• Transportation Services
• Referrals to health care and social service agencies
• HIV/AIDS and safe sex information
• Rape crisis information
• Help to obtain vital documents
• Substance abuse education and information
• Help to find jobs and housing

Prosperity (est. 1986). The Prosperity Program works with youth on an individual basis and also provides weekly workshops which focus on life skills such as:

• Job readiness
• Resume writing
• Obtaining employment
• Continuing education
• Financial Aid
• Vital documents
• Driver's License
• Housing
• Vocational Training

Youth are eligible for services if they are 14-24 years of age and wish to receive assistance with skills needed to achieve successful independence.

Bridge House I (a two-bedroom house, est. 2010) and Bridge House II (a two-bedroom condominium, est. 2011)
Agency-owned properties located in Bridgewater, NJ for young adults 18 years of age and over who have aged out of foster care. An expansion to ten (10) units is planned for Bridge House.

Village House (est. 2013)
Visions and Pathways provides case management and supportive housing through rental “scatter-site” units. Village House serves young adults 18 years of age and over. The majority of Village House clients have aged out of foster care.

Transitions (est. 2015)
A program that provides services for youth who have been discharged from a Visions and Pathways program and wishes you continue receiving support during their transition to permanency. The goal of the program is to prepare youth to become self-sufficient and establish community-based support.

IIC Transitional Services Available.

Current Active MOU	Families and Community Together (Union) Monmouth Cares Tri-County CMO
Eligibility	Youth 13-24
Age Groups	Adolescents
Community Services	Arts & Recreation Recreation / Social / Sports Basic Needs / Assistance Housing / Shelter Supportive Housing Employment / Training Independent Living Skill Program Job Training Life Skills Training Family & Support Services Case Management LGBTQ Youth Groups
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Anxiety Behavioral Family Conflict & Distress Mental Health
Treatment Services	Out-of-Home Services Group Home Transitional Living Outpatient Services Counseling Counseling / Therapy, Individual Treatment Setting Home
Payment Options	System of Care (CSOCI Medicaid / FlexFunds)
Language Spoken	Creole Spanish
Areas Served	Hunterdon County Monmouth County Morris County Somerset County Union County Warren County

Last Updated: 03/01/24