Teaming up with Supporters

Jennifer Reilly

Donor Services Manager, The Bowery Mission

Early COVID-19 Memories: The moment I realized COVID-19 had changed everything was the day in July when I first rode Citibike 6.6 miles to work instead of taking the subway. I am not a cyclist at all, and cycling in the city terrifies me. If the pandemic hadn't happened, I would have ridden the subway into work every day until retirement. I would never have considered cycling. But because the subway didn't seem safe anymore (and thanks to the free membership for essential workers), I decided to break out of my comfort zone. Since that day, I have biked to work every time I go: in rain, snow, sub-zero cold and 90s heat. I've only taken the subway a handful of times since.

On Showing Up: I was lucky enough to be working in an area of increased need. And The Bowery Mission was blessed, because when people who wanted to help thought, “Where can I be generous and fight COVID?” they thought of us. As emergency relief donations came in, I helped the Mission steward our relationships well by cataloguing and categorizing their gifts and ensuring they were responded to on time. I felt the energy of our donors through their gifts — large and small — and that really motivated me. It felt like I wasn't alone, and the Mission’s staff wasn't alone: we were on a team together with our donors.

Moments of Hope: I've volunteered some over the past year serving meals at our Tribeca and Bowery campuses, and I've seen the ways constant, sudden changes in public health norms impact our staff. I admire them every time I see them smile, every time they choose to continue responding to colleagues and guests with kindness despite the frustrations they face. They even took time to smile at me and encourage me! These tiny actions are real heroism.