The Lineage Project teaches at-risk and incarcerated New York City teenagers awareness-based practices, such as yoga and meditation, to help consciously manage stress, increase self-awareness, and cultivate compassion and commitment to nonviolent engagement with their communities.

We conduct our program in collaboration with local community- based organizations, schools, and New York City and State detention facilities. Our current community partners include:

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services

The Brooklyn Residential Center is a non-secure, group home, residential program operated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The program serves female adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 ½ years who have failed to transition to the community following discharge from OCFS. As result of the failure to return to the community, the youth’s aftercare/parole status is revoked and they are returned to residential placement.

While in detention, residents receive an array of services, such as education, health services, recreation, and case management

The Lineage Project has been providing classes at the BRC since February of 2005. Click here to see a letter of support from Dr. Rafindadi, BRC Psychologist.

The New York City Department of Juvenile Justice

The New York City Department of Juvenile Justice's (DJJ) mission is to provide Non-Secure and Secure Detention for alleged Juvenile Delinquents and Secure Detention for alleged Juvenile Offenders whose cases are pending, along with post-adjudicated juveniles awaiting transfer to state facilities.

The DJJ detains youth in structured and secure settings. While in detention, residents receive an array of services, such as education, health services, recreation, and case management.

The Lineage Project has been providing classes at the Horizons Secure Detention Facility since 2000.

For the past 2 years, we have been invited to participate in the DJJ's summer leadership academy. Youth who are deemed to be leaders in their sections are chose to participate in this 5 week program, designed to promote their leadership abilities. The Lineage Project provides classes twice each week and our involvement is testament to the value the Department of Juvenile Justice places on the work we do with the youth.

The Jewish Board of Children and Family Services.

The Montague Day Treatment is a program of the Jewish Board of Children & Family Services, which provides therapeutic services to 36 female adolescents with a wide range of emotional, psychiatric and academic challenges. Many of these young girls have experienced some type of trauma during the course of their development that has impaired their ability to have a healthy perception of their body and be attuned to the mind/body connection.




Click here read a letter of support from MDTC director Mimi Sterman