Restoration's Single Stop Relaunches

Last Friday was a big day for the hardworking folks at Restoration Corporation, as it marked the day the organization re-launched Single Stop, a free program in which residents can obtain legal assistance, financial counseling and benefits screenings all in one place.

Lawyers, social workers, financial counselors, paralegals, and other community advocates gathered in Restoration's courtyard, joined by Betty Staton, executive director of Bedford-Stuyvesant Community Legal Services, Grayce Wiggins, director of Legal Services for Single StopUSA, and Kizzie Brown-Duah and Blaine Arthur from Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, both of whom supervise the Single Stop program.

Single Stop represents an important mix of support services—food stamps registration, job training, and financial assistance—all of which are offered through the various departments of BSRC.

Single Stop is a free service that is confidential and made available to the community in a one-stop-shop setting that is friendly and upbeat; there are no long lines, frustrated babies crying, or in-take workers with attitudes.

Services staff can answer questions about housing, unemployment benefits, tax and immigration, while also offer life-changing public benefits, tax credits and other essential services that remain untapped and inaccessible.

"It’s a complicated world out there, and given the bad economy, it’s really important that people are able to access benefits and services quickly and easily," said Nori Sateesh, director of housing for Bed-Stuy Legal Services. At BSLS, and also as a part of the Single Stop network, Sateesh handles housing rights and housing issues. For example, people who have been cut off from a federal subsidy like Section 8.

The relaunching of Single Stop is not a return of an old service, but rather a re-branding of an existing service.

"We decided to relaunch the service that we’re already providing. We reworked the program, made it easier for people to find us; we’re working longer hours, and we've increased up our staff," said Sateesh.

According to Sateesh, Single Stop helps about 1,000 people each year, most of whom arrive as referrals from court houses, elected officials and other community organizations. But it was important local residents also were made aware of the free program at Restoration Plaza.

On-site trained professionals also provide counseling and referrals for domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental health problems. Again, their services are strictly confidential and free.

Single Stop is open Monday through Friday, from 10:00am - 6:00pm at 1368 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 4th floor. No appointment is needed.

For more information on Single Stop, call (718) 636-6958 or (718) 636-6942, or visit them on Restoration's website.