MyndBridge launches after-hours youth program in Hempstead

MyndBridge and partners are launching Safe Spaces After Dark in Hempstead with $300,000 in New York State Project RISE funding. The evening program will serve up to 60 people ages 16–24 and aims to fill a gap in support, mentoring and prevention services after traditional hours.

Why it matters: - Safe Spaces After Dark is designed to reach young people when many prevention, mental health and job-support services are closed. - The Hempstead pilot could become a model for other communities if MyndBridge secures additional funding and partners. - The program is intended to strengthen local prevention efforts by connecting youth to structured support, referrals and opportunity.

What happened: - MyndBridge announced the launch of Safe Spaces After Dark in Hempstead, New York, with LI TEAMWorks, The B.E.S.T. Inc. and The Inspirational Lawyer. - The initiative received a $300,000 grant through New York State’s Project RISE initiative, administered by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. - Registration opens Oct. 15, 2026, and services begin Nov. 4, 2026. - The Hempstead pilot will serve up to 60 young people ages 16–24, three days a week.

The details: - The program offers a safe, structured evening environment for participants ages 16–24. - Services include stipends, meals, mental health and wellness support, career services and workforce training. - Participants also will have access to mentoring, life-skills development, creative and recreational activities, and referrals to additional community resources. - MyndBridge will lead the Hempstead pilot and oversee implementation. - LI TEAMWorks, The B.E.S.T. Inc. and The Inspirational Lawyer will support the effort with expertise in violence prevention, youth engagement, mentoring, wellness, education and community support. - MyndBridge is seeking referral partners, volunteers and organizations interested in supporting the initiative. - Additional information on eligibility, program hours, registration and referrals will be available through MyndBridge. - Project RISE supports community-based organizations providing mentoring, mental health services, employment and education support, youth development, job training and related services.

Between the lines: - The launch reflects a prevention strategy built around after-hours access, not just daytime programming. - The partnership structure suggests MyndBridge is trying to combine direct service with a broader referral network in Hempstead. - The quoted leaders frame the effort as both a safety intervention and a youth opportunity program. - The state funding model points to a community-based approach to violence prevention that emphasizes local capacity and partnerships.

What’s next: - MyndBridge will open registration on Oct. 15 and start services on Nov. 4. - The organization will use Hempstead as a pilot site to evaluate outcomes and refine the model. - MyndBridge plans to explore expansion to Suffolk County and New York City’s five boroughs if it can secure more funding and partnerships. - The organization said it will share more details about program eligibility, hours and referrals through its channels.

The bottom line: - Safe Spaces After Dark is a new after-hours support model for Hempstead youth that blends prevention, mentoring, wellness and workforce help into one evening program.