Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, VOA-Greater New York frontline staff continue to provide round-the-clock care for the people who depend on them. In spite of being fearful for their own safety, they show up, keeping the doors open for families escaping domestic violence, older adults at risk of being without basic resources, veterans seeking a safe place to call "home" and many others.

This week w e launched a new PSA to honor them — and all human services providers —who are caring for our neighbors in need, 24/7.

You, too—our partners in the community—are essential to our mission. We are incurring extraordinary costs as a result of the pandemic, purchasing massive amounts of cleaning supplies to keep our facilities safe and extra computers so clients can access medical and mental health services remotely.

While you can't be with us physically to volunteer right now, or hold drives to collect goods for us, there are number of important ways that you can help .

The COVID-19 crisis has entirely disrupted Operation Backpack ® , the success of which is completely dependent on community engagement and, in large part, people physically showing up. At risk is our ability to meet the school supply needs of 19,000 NYC students in September.

In response, we are prepared to pivot to an entirely new delivery model for 2020 if we can raise $500,000 in emergency funding.

Please pivot with us! So that we let no child down.

Reach out to talk to us about helping to underwrite the campaign, set up a fundraising team or make a donation now.

VOA-Greater New York program staff are giving their all to care for those in need.

Writing a Message of Hope , like the examples pictured, is a simple and meaningful way to demonstrate that the whole community is behind them.

Read below what the Program Director at one VOA-Greater New York supportive housing residence in the Bronx shared in response to some of the first messages.
"Thank you on behalf of Eden House staff, residents and myself for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Today we received an envelope in the mail filled with love, words of comfort, encouragement and well-wishes and we are tremendously grateful. We’re all in this together!" --Tamara, Eden House Program Director

We are grateful to our partners who have supported us, helping meet some of our current needs – f rom cash contributions to donations of activities for the residents in our SROs, which help them maintain a safe distance while not feeling socially isolated and keep children occupied.

Allen & Overy LLP, Murex and Bank of America (with a company match) made financial donations to stock our programs' emergency food pantries, along with formula and baby food.

Lenox Advisors ordered hundreds of arts & crafts, puzzle books and more for the children and adults in our residential programs.

Universal Music Group sent 5,000 cloth face masks - so difficult to obtain - for clients and staff.

Rutgers Presbyterian Church donated personalized, deluxe wooden art sets for the children living at our family shelter on the Upper West Side.

...and many more who ordered items from our online wish lists , letting the individuals and families at our programs know that the community cares!
86 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to program services.