The BronxWorks May 2020 Newsletter

BronxWorks Responds to COVID-19 Part III
 Jisell Reyes, Case Manager at Cooper Gardens, completing a medication session with a client.

 
In this Issue:
spotlightSpotlight: Foundation Support For COVID-19 Initiatives
Julie Spitzer, Department Director Homelessness Prevention and Access to Benefits; Eileen Torres, Executive Director; Brad Hamburger Board Member of Step Up for Better Living; and John Weed Assistant Executive Director at The BronxWorks Community Food Pantry.


BronxWorks is very grateful for support during the COVID-19 crisis. We are especially thankful for the emergency grants from our foundation partners who are supporting our work during these difficult times.  Their investments are ensuring that we are providing vital services to Bronx communities during the COVID-19 crisis.   BronxWorks provides essential services, such as emergency food to New Yorkers with the greatest need. 
Click here to read more about BronxWorks pantries. 

Thank you to our foundation partners!

Step Up For Better Living, FJC Donor Advised Fund,  Good+ Foundation
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, ICHNOS Sciences
Cummins Inc./The Cummins Foundation
Robin Hood Foundation, Russell Grinnell Memorial Trust, 
The Joseph Handleman I Believe in You Trust, The Microsoft Store



CAPPSRAECAPP and SRAE Programs
Use Video Outreach
"Ways to Keep Your Mind Active" program video.
CAPP and SRAE Programs have transitioned to video outreach for youth and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.


During the COVID-19 crisis, teens and young adults may feel especially isolated as a result of social distancing.  The CAPP (Comprehensive Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention) and SRAE (Sexual Risk Avoidance Education) Programs at BronxWorks are working hard to ensure that their participants know that resources are still available to them and the programs are continually conducting outreach.  The programs created video content on reproductive health, as well as various topics for positive youth development.  

The videos are available to targeted youth in BronxWorks programs as well as programs throughout the Bronx community.  The videos provide an accessible platform to ensure as many teens and young adults have the ability to participate as possible.

Please see video links below and for more information on CAPP & SRAE outreach please contact ahorne@bronxworks.org. 

Click here to view CAPP/SRAE videos
VideoVideo Gallery
Check out the videos below and see firsthand how other BronxWorks staff have adjusted their service during the 
COVID-19 pandemic.

BronxWorks Rapid Re-Housing Program
BronxWorks - Helping the Homeless Find Safety
BronxWorks - Helping the Homeless Find Safety

BronxWorks Census Program
BronxWorks - Fill out the 2020 Census Today!
BronxWorks - Fill out the 2020 Census Today!

To Complete the 2020 Census click here or contact Alida Quinones-Reyes at alreyes@bronxworks.org or 347-835-0262

To view more videos from BronxWorks programs, click here.

profileFrontline Staff Profile:
Devin Duran

Devin Duran, Receptionist at Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center.
Devin Duran, Receptionist at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center (CMCC) , tirelessly works every Saturday at the Community Food Pantry in addition to his daily role at CMCC, as a part of the BronxWorks frontline staff.  Devin helps with set up for the pantry, assists with the food stations and monitors the stock.  Devin appreciates being there for the BronxWorks community and likes to be helpful in his position.

"I want to serve the community in a different way and get involved," Devon said of working the pantry on Saturdays.

Devin joined BronxWorks over two years ago.  He was an intern with the Opportunity Youth Program.  The internship trained and prepared Devin for entering the workforce. He learned the basics of interviewing, interacting with co-workers and problem solving.  During this time he was able to shadow BronxWorks staff, while learning more about the Agency.  From there Devin applied for a position and started his BronxWorks journey.


"I am definitely willing to take the opportunity to grow my experience and expand my knowledge within the Agency and see where it takes me," said Devin speaking about his future with BronxWorks. 

Devin graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta with a degree in Psychology. During his free time he enjoys ice skating and roller blading.  Mostly, Devin has an appreciation for nature after spending time in upstate New York.  He likes to take nature in whenever possible.

DYKDid You Know? 
 The BronxWorks Community Food Pantry 
At 1130 Grand Concourse  Is Now Open Every Saturday

New York City Council Member Vanessa Gibson,  Step Up For Better Living Board Member Patti Bartos, and BronxWorks Executive Director Eileen Torres.

The BronxWorks Community Food Pantry will now be open every Saturday with expanded hours thanks to a generous grant from Step Up for Better Living! The need for emergency food continues to grow at a rapid pace during the COVID-19 crisis.  
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to impact the Bronx, BronxWorks pantries help the community access food. The lines for our pantries stretch down the block, not just because of the social distancing measures we have put in place, but also because food insecurity is on the rise. Even before the current crisis, food insecurity in the Bronx was a critical problem; the borough has the highest rates of hunger in the city. Now, as COVID-19 disproportionately devastates Bronx families and lays bare our communities' economic and health disparities, food insecurity only grows. 
With our new partnership from Step Up For Better Living and assistance from other donors, we are able to provide over 200 families with food and other essential items every week. In addition, BronxWorks operates pantries at our Heights and Morris Senior Centers.
For more information contact Genesis Mejia, Pantry Coordinator, gmejia@bronxworks.org

To read about Genesis and her dedication to the pantry click here.
PHOTO Photo Essay
BronxWorks staff members shopping for residents of The Brook.
Shopping for Brook Residents
BronxWorks staff at The Brook continue working on-site during the pandemic.  The Brook is a supportive housing residence  where  BronxWorks provides social services to tenants. Staff members regularly shop for groceries addressing food insecurities. They ensure the kitchen and pantry on-site are well-stocked. 
Safety Monitors at BronxWorks.
Thank You to Our Safety Monitors
BronxWorks would like to thank our Safety Monitors who continue  to work tirelessly throughout the pandemic.
Dr. Andrea Littleton and the BronxWorks 
Homeless Outreach Team  (HOT)
Dr. Littleton, Medical Director, BronxWorks, (pictured above in middle) travels regularly with the HOT Team. She conducts wellness checks on our most vulnerable neighbors.
Click here to view a recent News12 Bronx feature.
Maria Rivera, Department Director, Senior Services, proudly wearing a Charged Concepts mask.
Charged Concepts Donates Masks
Over 100 cloth masks were donated by Charged Concepts.  BronxWorks is thankful for the donation.  They were distributed to our Children and Youth, Training, Fiscal and Senior Services Departments. 
waystogive Ways to Give

BronxWorks  staff remains committed to assisting our Bronx neighbors during these very uncertain times.  
The BronxWorks Emergency Fund helps some of the most vulnerable communities in New York City during the COVID-19 crisis.  
Please make a gift of any amount to help BronxWorks provide essential services to Bronx residents with the greatest need: the homeless, children, seniors, immigrants, and individuals with significant health challenges.  
To donate now text joinbronxworks to 76278 or visit here.
No act of generosity is too small to make a difference.  
We need your help NOW. Join BronxWorks! We call on all people of goodwill to support the work of dedicated BronxWorks staff. Please make a gift today.  

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