Lincoln Hall’s future in Somers takes new direction

SOMERS, N.Y. - Lincoln Hall, a nonprofit organization that serves vulnerable youths, has confirmed that it’s undergoing a “strategic transition” in its operations at its Somers campus.

Concerns about a potential closing were raised back in March after the residential school filed a notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act stating that it intended to lay off 123 of its 140 employees.

While the layoffs have taken place and there are no longer any students living at the facility, Lincoln Hall itself is not shutting down, its transitional executive director, Vincent Madera, told Halston Media this week.

It is instead, according to an official statement issued on Monday, May 11, planning to “collaborate with trusted partners to best serve youth and families with the greatest needs in a rapidly evolving social services landscape.”

This is not the first major transformation Lincoln Hall has faced.

Founded in 1863, its original mission was to care for destitute, homeless, or troubled children in New York City. It focused on rehabilitating boys through education and agricultural or industrial training.

It began serving court-mandated youths in the 1950s and 1960s.

In 2012, it also contracted with the federal government to provide temporary shelter for undocumented minors who’d been detained by Immigration and Customers Enforcement after being separated from their parents at the southern border.

The goal was to eventually reunite them with their families or place them in other appropriate facilities.

It was licensed to care for up to 100 such children – ages 12 through 18.

Many of them had from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.

In 2023, Lincoln Hall stopped accepting boys from the state’s Family Court system due to “financial considerations,” its chief program officer, Dr. James T. Coughlin, said then.

According to Madera, this latest change was triggered by the ending of the organization’s current three-year grant with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).

He did not give a specific reason for not being awarded the “highly competitive” grant.

Halston Media had previously been told by the ORR that it “does not comment on its grant recipients.”

Any remaining students at Lincoln Hall were either reunited with their families or transferred to other programs, Madera said.

As for the staffers who were laid off, they were given the opportunity to participate in several “open houses” designed to help them find jobs with other programs or agencies.

The few folks who are left are handling “wind-down” duties, such as paperwork, he added.

NEXT CHAPTER?

Here is Lincoln Hall’s official statement about its current situation:

“The decision comes as the organization’s Board of Managers and executive leadership engage in a comprehensive strategic planning process focused on ensuring Lincoln Hall’s long-term strength and continued mission impact. This work is centered on developing a forward-looking approach that allows the organization to collaborate with trusted partners to best serve youth and families with the greatest needs in a rapidly evolving social services landscape.”

Paul Meissner, president of Lincoln Hall’s Board of Managers, pointed out that the organization had in its 162 years of operation “served tens of thousands of young people impacted by poverty, child welfare involvement, juvenile justice, and immigration”

“Our work has consistently focused on helping youth stabilize during moments of crisis, reconnect with family and community whenever possible, access education and workforce pathways, and develop the skills needed for long-term success,” he said.

“Across generations, Lincoln Hall has played a meaningful role in family reunification efforts, alternatives to long-term institutional care, and system-level shifts that prioritize youth well-being, dignity, and opportunity. Many of the young people we served went on to build productive, independent lives and strengthen the communities where they live. That impact is real, measurable, and lasting, and we are deeply proud of it,” Meissner added.

Pointing out that there are still “a lot of moving parts,” Madera asserted that the decision to transition “reflects responsible stewardship and a commitment to thoughtful, long-term planning.”

“It positions Lincoln Hall to invest in our historic mission in ways that are responsive to the evolving needs of youth and families. We remain grounded in our history, honest about current realities, and focused on building a strong and intentional next chapter,” he said.

TOWN REACTS

Town Supervisor Robert Scorrano, who has been keeping in close communication with Lincoln Hall officials, commented on the recent developments.

"Lincoln Hall has been an integral part of Somers for generations, making a meaningful impact on countless young people and families. I commend Lincoln Hall and its Board of Managers for their thoughtful, forward-looking approach to strengthening the organization’s mission of serving those most in need," he wrote in a May 12 email to Halston Media. "Their commitment to responsible stewardship and strategic planning demonstrates a dedication to meeting the community’s evolving needs while honoring Lincoln Hall’s historic legacy."