Hetrick-Martin Institute

Hetrick-Martin Institute
Name	Hetrick-Martin Institute
Formation	1979
Founders	Paul Hetrick; Dr. Emery Hetrick
Type	Nonprofit youth organization
Headquarters	New York City
Region served	United States

Hetrick-Martin Institute is a New York City–based nonprofit youth organization founded in 1979 providing services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning young people. The institute operates drop-in centers, educational programs, and advocacy initiatives that intersect with institutions such as New York City Department of Education, Columbia University, New York University, The Trevor Project, and Lambda Legal. Its work draws on partnerships with organizations like Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Stonewall Inn, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, and SAGE USA.

History

The organization was founded by Paul Hetrick and Dr. Emery Hetrick in 1979 amid activism involving groups such as ACT UP, Gay Liberation Front, Gay Men's Health Crisis, and events like the Stonewall riots. Early collaborations included referrals from Mount Sinai Hospital, NYU Medical Center, and Bellevue Hospital Center; the institute later established programs influenced by research from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and training models used by Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Red Cross. During the 1980s and 1990s the institute engaged with campaigns led by AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and legal challenges brought by American Civil Liberties Union affiliates. Its evolution paralleled movements involving figures and groups such as Ed Koch, Rudy Giuliani, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and advocacy networks including Human Rights Campaign Foundation and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Mission and Services

The institute’s mission centers on supporting underserved youth through services that connect clients with resources from New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Mount Sinai Health System, NYC Health + Hospitals, and mental health models used by American Psychiatric Association. Programs often coordinate referrals with Department of Veterans Affairs for family members, legal resources from Legal Aid Society, and employment connections via New York City Department of Youth and Community Development and workforce initiatives similar to those by Goodwill Industries International. Services reflect best practices advanced by American Academy of Pediatrics, National Association of Social Workers, and training curricula from Teachers College, Columbia University and Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Programs and Youth Support

Programs include drop-in centers, counseling, educational support, and career readiness aligning with youth services seen at Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and community health models used by Planned Parenthood. The institute’s youth programming has intersected with initiatives and funders such as Annie E. Casey Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Ford Foundation, and programmatic models modeled after YMCA. Educational partnerships have included institutions like Bronx Community College, City College of New York, CUNY Graduate Center, and arts collaborations with Juilliard School and Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Advocacy and Policy Work

Advocacy efforts have engaged policymakers including members of New York City Council, state offices represented by New York State Assembly and New York State Senate, and federal contacts in United States Congress. The institute has participated in coalitions with organizations such as Human Rights Campaign, Victory Fund, National Center for Transgender Equality, Family Equality Council, PFLAG, and litigation support networks related to cases before the United States Supreme Court and the New York Court of Appeals. Policy priorities mirrored campaigns like the passage of laws comparable to Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and local ordinances akin to New York City Human Rights Law amendments.

Funding and Organization

Funding sources historically have included municipal grants from New York City Council, state contracts via New York State Office of Mental Health, and federal grants administered by agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Private support has come from foundations including Ford Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, MacArthur Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and major philanthropists associated with The Clinton Foundation and corporate giving programs like those of Google.org, Microsoft Philanthropies, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Fiscal oversight aligns with standards promoted by Council on Foundations and nonprofit governance models taught at Yale School of Management and Harvard Business School.

Partnerships and Impact

The institute’s partnerships span healthcare, education, legal, and arts sectors, working with entities such as Mount Sinai Health System, Columbia University Medical Center, NYU Langone Health, New York Public Library, Brooklyn Museum, and national networks like The Trevor Project and GLAAD. Impact assessments have referenced methodologies from Urban Institute, RAND Corporation, and evaluations modeled after those used by Mathematica Policy Research. Reports and outcomes have informed municipal initiatives with New York City Mayor's Office programs and influenced curricula in school systems linked to New York City Department of Education.

Notable People and Leadership

Founders Paul Hetrick and Dr. Emery Hetrick established early leadership; subsequent leaders and board members have included professionals connected to institutions such as Columbia University, New York University, Mount Sinai Health System, Ford Foundation, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Lambda Legal, The Trevor Project, American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Council on Foundations, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and major civic figures from New York City Hall. Staff and alumni have gone on to roles in organizations like Human Rights Campaign, National Center for Transgender Equality, GLAAD, Lambda Legal, The Trevor Project, PFLAG, Planned Parenthood, American Civil Liberties Union, SAGE USA, United Nations Development Programme, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and academic appointments at Columbia University, New York University, and CUNY.

Category:LGBT youth organizations in the United States