Description
Unique People Services, Inc. (UPS) is a New York City-headquartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Lynn Wonsan in 1991.
The company's mission is to serve—holistically and without judgment—those who may have been denied compassionate and considerate treatment elsewhere because of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, developmental level, medical condition, or history. use of drugs or narcotics. It strives to provide a home and support for people with special and complex needs - the men and women they consider to be members of their family.
They have grown since 1991 and now operate housing support programs in the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn, Queens and Westchester. More than 800 people stay at one of their residences every year. They receive meals and other support services that include running their businesses and focusing on achieving the highest possible level of independent living. We offer temporary and permanent housing for former homeless people with HIV/AIDS, long-term and permanent housing for former homeless people with mental illness, and permanent housing for adults with developmental disabilities.
The main goals of HIV/AIDS shelter programs are to help tenants stabilize their lives; help them secure their rights and guide them to permanent housing. Referrals are also made for medical and psychological care and for substance abuse counselling. Meals are offered at the residences, as well as recreational services and nutritional advice. The staff nurse provides health insurance and monitors patient compliance with medication and treatment. Their temporary housing programs, located in the Bronx and Manhattan, can serve up to 73 people.
Through their permanent and supportive housing programs, up to 254 former homeless singles and families are served in Scattered Site apartments located throughout the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.
Care and housing for people with severe and persistent mental illness in New York State has largely moved out of hospitals and into the community. UPS helps meet the needs of the community with seven mentally ill housing programs in the Bronx. The company operates two Community Residence Single Room Occupancy Bronx residences (Haven and Hunter Apartments) that provide services to 98 mentally ill former homeless men and women. They provide their residents with comprehensive case management, medical and psychiatric supervision, as well as food and recreation services. For those who are able to live in a more independent environment, UPS operates supported housing programs in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Westchester.
