Darmstadt Shelter

40 Thomas Street
Kingston, NY   12401
(845) 331-1395

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Program Director: Elizabeth Bahr and Christina Basden
Assistant Program Directors/Services: John Alexander and Salvatore Dispensa

Program Hours:  24-Hour Access

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:   Emergency shelter for up to 21 homeless men and women. Housing and services for men and women participating in daily substance abuse and/or mental health programming, who need a clean and sober living environment. The program also provides Intensive Homeless Supervision, including supervision and support to individuals at risk of requiring a higher level of care or supervision, and those involved in the criminal justice system.

ANCILLARY SERVICES:   Crisis counseling; case management; information and referrals; linkages to other county and private agencies’ programming; parenting education; information on identifying domestic violence; life skills training; legal consultation referrals; educational advancement; domestic violence classes for both men and women; acupuncture, massage, and other holistic health care services delivered on premises by practitioners from Health Care is a Human Right; free haircuts; free clothing exchange; assistance in locating clean and sober housing; transportation; and after care and homelessness prevention services. The Learning Station is an accessory building providing space for classes, and allowing clients access to computers for such tasks as job and housing searches. The program provides drug testing at the request of the Probation or Parole Departments or when it appears that a resident has violated the drug policy and needs to be tested. The Shelter has worked closely for years with Detox Facilities and Rehabs, and more recently in response to the opioid crisis has worked with doctors who prescribe Suboxone. Staff of Darmstadt are trained in use and distribution of Nalaxone (Narcan).

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:
The COVID-19 epidemic proved challenging for the clients and staff alike.  It became far more difficult to meet with Landlords, and have face to face meetings with doctors and therapists.  It also limited the number of potential clients seeking our services, as well as ex-clients seeking after-care. It has also been necessary to put safety and hygiene protocols in place (mask wearing, frequent hand washing, etc.), which are sometimes challenging to enforce.

Christina Basden was promoted to Co-Director with Liz Bahr in 2021.