Center Will Promote Wellness and Peer Support for Teenagers Wishing to Lead Substance-Free Lives

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS) today announced the grand opening of the Elmcor Youth Clubhouse, to help combat addiction amongst the youth population in Queens. The new Clubhouse, which is operated by Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities, Inc., will provide a place for young people in recovery or at risk of addiction to develop social skills that promote long-term health, wellness, and a drug-free lifestyle. The facility is funded through a $250,000 grant from OASAS.

“We want to ensure that our youth have a safe and supportive place to go to help combat substance abuse,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the Heroin and Opioid Abuse Task Force. “This new clubhouse in Queens will offer an inclusive environment for young people to help with recovery and participate in recreational activities and learning programs. As part of our aggressive efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in New York, we’re working hard to make sure all New Yorkers lead safe and fulfilling lives.”

The Elmcor Youth Clubhouse will provide a community-based, non-clinical setting for promoting long-term recovery through skill building, recreation, education, wellness, evidence-based prevention programs and other social activities for teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. Participants will work closely with peer support counselors to achieve their own personal recovery goals. In addition to a host of supportive services, teens will be able to receive academic intervention services, specialized educational opportunities and job training.

“For teenagers, having a place that is safe and drug-free isn’t always easy to come by,” said OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s leadership and commitment to fighting addiction, this Clubhouse will provide them with the supports and services vital to their success.”

“The new Elmcor Youth Clubhouse will provide much needed resources to one of the most vulnerable populations in our community,” said 35^th District Queens Assemblyman Jeffrion L. Aubry. “Teens in recovery will now have more opportunities in Queens to get onto a positive path in their young life through the Clubhouse services. I am so grateful for the collaborative work between the community and the Governor which made the Elmcor Youth Clubhouse possible.” 

Earlier this year, Governor Cuomo announced the award of nearly $1 million in funding to establish four new youth clubhouses to be located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.

The Elmcor Youth Clubhouse is located at 33-16 108th Street, Corona NY 11368.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). 

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website. Visit CombatAddiction.ny.gov to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the state’s Talk2Prevent website