The TBNC, COVID-19, AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS
The TBNC (“The TBNC”) has been dedicated to serving the many neighborhoods of Manhattan’s Lower East Side since 1954. We create equitable housing, celebrate cultural diversity through neighborhood-based programs, and work together with local residents, businesses, entrepreneurs, and leaders to stimulate and maintain economic vitality. The TBNC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation registered with the State of New York.
THE NEED:
- Within the TBNC neighborhood is a constellation of different housing that serves low-income families. In times of crisis and emergency, public housing campuses within the neighborhood are often served first, leaving those not living in public housing vulnerable and unable to access vital social services such as food pantries.
- Currently we are serving 950 vulnerable units (about 2,000 residents and growing) from five buildings in the neighborhood to gain access to hot meals and food pantry supplies, one of which is a senior residence building.
HOW ARE WE ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE:
- Forming local partnerships with residents, organizations, and government officials: We are working in partnership with Hamilton Madison House, Henry Street Settlement, and local resident associations (The TBNC Tower Resident Association, Lands End II Resident Association, and 227 Cherry Resident Association, and more) to identify residents in need and provide access to essential resources. Meals and food donations are acquired through private & public food donations from the City of New York.
- Employing local residents: Meals are delivered daily by the TBNC Food Distribution Assistants, who are mainly local residents from impacted buildings.
- Providing human connection with services while social distancing: Alongside the food distribution, the TBNC staff members also conduct personal wellness calls to seniors and residents to survey the need for meal deliveries and other social service referrals. In addition to our emergency food distribution efforts, the TBNC continues to offer programs to existing participants, especially youth, who are enrolled in our Music program and Basketball program. Staff members continue to connect with youth virtually by providing music classes and fitness-based programming.
OUR ASK
As we enter into the summer months, parts of NYC will re-open, but many residents cannot simply un-pause and return to their lives pre-COVID-19. We ask that you consider making a generous contribution to The TBNC Neighborhood Council to ensure that vulnerable residents, especially seniors and needy families, have access to food and so our youth will have a summer program to engage with during a very challenging, socially-distant summer. Through your generosity, we will be able to:
- Continue to serve over 2,000 residents in the community in need of food and wellness calls.
- Provide stipends to volunteers from the local community to distribute meals.
- Create a system of support for residents in need of long-term assistance who are isolated from vital social services in the neighborhood and
- Remain engaged with over 100 youth in the community.
BY FUNDING THIS STORY YOU WILL DEMONSTRATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS OF THE The TBNC COMMUNITY AND FOR THE The TBNC NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL, INC.
