Every person’s path into homelessness is different, but the path out often begins with one common element: committed, compassionate support. For more than 40 years, Jericho Project has provided that type of support to those experiencing homelessness in New York City.

“A person-centered philosophy has been the foundation for Jericho Project’s work from the beginning,” says Tori Lyon, CEO of Jericho Project. “Our efforts, whether providing housing, mental health support, or work training, have always been grounded in meeting people where they are. It’s an approach that works because it recognizes the dignity and potential of every individual.”

Jericho Project is a leading nonprofit social service provider offering programs for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness that have been proven to transform lives and create lasting change. Its mission is to empower individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity by providing housing and person-centered services to address social inequities.

Lyon joined Jericho Project as Director of Development in 1996. She later became the organization’s Associate Executive Director in 1999, Executive Director in 2005, and CEO in 2016. She has led Jericho’s strategic planning, fundraising, housing and program development, and executive management, leveraging her 30 years of experience in the supportive housing sector to more than quadruple the number of people the organization has served since 2010. Under her leadership, the organization has developed more than 700 units of permanent supportive housing and launched a nationally recognized Veterans Initiative.

“Over the past four decades, our approach at Jericho Project has evolved from primarily delivering housing and services to building an integrated model that connects housing stability with employment, wellness, and long-term community support,” Lyon says. “Today, our clients benefit from expanded workforce development initiatives, impactful cross-sector partnerships, and data-informed strategies that allow us to measure outcomes in ways that lead to more refined programs.”

Jericho Project has evolved as homelessness issues have become more complex

Jericho Project was launched in 1983 in response to New York’s homelessness crisis. The three Episcopal churches that came together to form the project began their work by providing a warm meal and a safe place to sleep.

Over the years, the issues driving homelessness have become more complex and more difficult to overcome. To stay relevant, Jericho Project has evolved as well.

“Regaining stability once you lose your housing is more difficult today than in the past, in large part due to rising rents, wage stagnation, and an increasingly tight housing market,” Lyon explains. “Whereas a steady job was once enough to keep people from experiencing homelessness, we are now seeing more working individuals and families who are unable to afford housing. As a result, the approach to homelessness has shifted from short-term crisis response to long-term affordability and workforce access.”

Today, Jericho Project clients have access to a host of innovative and impactful services that provide quality housing, along with employment, mental health, and physical health services. Jericho Project’s goal is to address the four cornerstones of a person’s life: housing, employment, wellness, and family stability.

“Our efforts to pair housing with employment and supportive services have allowed thousands of New Yorkers to move beyond crisis and toward self-sufficiency,” Lyon says. “Our programs serve people of all ages striving to better their mental and physical health, those looking to gain or sustain employment or pursue educational opportunities, and individuals hoping to reunite with their families.”

Jericho Project uses workforce training to address homelessness at its roots

Building the skills needed to secure meaningful employment is one of the biggest challenges those experiencing homelessness face today. Many, having been disconnected from the workforce for extended periods, lack the skills needed to qualify for opportunities. And few have access to the traditional workforce development programs that could rectify the problem.

Jericho Project launched its Workforce Opportunities Program to bridge the employment gap for people experiencing homelessness. By providing training, job search assistance, work retention support, and universal support from career counselors, the program opens doors for participants to find jobs, keep them, and gain the leverage they need to secure housing of their own.

“The placements we make through our Workforce Opportunities Program represent more than employment,” Lyon says. “When those who go through the program secure employment, they also gain stability, confidence, and a pathway toward long-term independence.”

Over 60% of Jericho clients participate in Workforce Opportunities Program initiatives. In 2025 alone, the program’s impact included over 250 job placements, with participants earning an average starting wage of over $20 per hour.

Jericho Project remains committed to helping people experiencing homelessness overcome the challenges of today and tomorrow

Jericho Project has built a lasting legacy over the past four decades by staying committed to a person-centered philosophy. As it moves into the next decade, that approach positions the organization to continue evolving with the culture and address the unique issues each of its clients face.

“Lasting change is possible when people are given the right support and opportunity,” Lyon says. “By staying committed to meeting people where they are, we see individuals overcoming extraordinary challenges every day, whether that means getting a job, secure housing, or another opportunity to live as a family. That type of progress and possibility will keep us motivated to serve New Yorkers experiencing homelessness for decades to come.”

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