To our Community:
As The Bowery Mission cares for our most vulnerable neighbors during the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency, we remain committed to the health, safety and well-being of all. Our neighbors experiencing homelessness don’t have the option to stay home to distance themselves from illness — so we are reliant on friends like you who choose to give generously.
We continue to offer essential meal, shelter, and residential programs, despite having temporarily suspended some larger gatherings. We have also modified all programs and services in accordance with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
At The Bowery Mission, we believe organizations like ours have a duty to remain open at all costs. Homelessness itself is an emergency, and now unhoused New Yorkers are in even deeper crisis. We are seeing new faces, with new worries — people who are desperately in need of the food, shelter and hope offered at The Bowery Mission. People in need continue to be welcomed at our locations, and we invite you to see details on current programs and services available.
Our staff and volunteers continue to offer these essential services
- To-go meals at our Bowery campus — Breakfast (8 a.m.) and lunch (1 p.m.) are served outdoors, to-go. It is critically important that people without a home or a job have access to life-sustaining meals to boost energy, nutrition and immunity during this time. A hand-washing station is available to each guest.
- Showers and clothing at our Bowery campus — We have begun to offer this service again, on a limited, modified basis at our Bowery campus. Personal hygiene is critically important at this time, and yet people without a home have few good options right now for keeping clean.
- Overnight shelter at our Tribeca campus — We continue to welcome New Yorkers in need each night who otherwise do not have a home. Each guest is able to rest overnight, shower, and eat dinner and breakfast. We conduct daily verbal and visual health screenings. We have also modified sleeping arrangements, created isolation areas and enforced new protocols for cleaning, PPE and social distancing.
- Residential programs for men and women — We continue to offer Residential programs for more than 80 men and women at four other locations. Residents are largely sheltering in place as they continue with counseling, classes and a journey toward independent living.
- Support for children and families — Mont Lawn staff and volunteers continue to connect with children and families virtually to provide support in an uncertain time.
How can you get involved during this challenging time?
- Pray — Pray for the health of everyone in The Bowery Mission family, particularly our vulnerable neighbors who are experiencing homelessness or other crises.
- Give Financially — Your generosity supports our ability to stay open and modify programs and services to new needs. Make a gift today!
- Volunteer — If you are healthy and able, we need help packaging and distributing meals. Learn more about volunteer safety measures and sign up at bowery.org/volunteer.
- Donate Goods — We continue to have a need for donated food, clothing, and personal care items. For a detailed list of current needs, visit bowery.org/donategoods.
- Share — Remind others how vulnerable people without a home are in this crisis — and the ways The Bowery Mission is responding. Share our @bowerymission social media posts, our conversation with The View’s Meghan McCain, or our video showing The Bowery Mission’s response to the coronavirus. You can also share this featured coverage from the Hope Cast podcast or visit our media page for the latest mentions of The Bowery Mission in the news.
With a history going back to the 1870s, The Bowery Mission is reminded how needs increased during the 1918 flu pandemic, the Great Depression, Hurricane Sandy, and so many other challenging times. The Bowery Mission demonstrated God’s love to New Yorkers then, and we resolve to do the same now, with your help.
As so many stay at home, thank you for remembering people who do not have a home. The Bowery Mission continues to stand with these vulnerable neighbors. Thank you for standing with The Bowery Mission in compassion during this time of unprecedented challenge and uncertainty.
We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates as they come.
Gratefully,
James Winans
President & CEO
Updated from original post published on March 13, 2020.