Bulletin Board
The place where you can stay up to date with the latest events, stories, news, and opportunities for our City Relief community.
The Working Unhoused: A Reality That Needs Our Commitment
For the month of September, we turn our focus to an often misunderstood and overlooked aspect of homelessness: employment. The notion that all homeless folks need to do to get off the street or out of a shelter is just work hard and “get a job” and their problems will be solved is deeply ingrained in our society. Unfortunately, it’s rarely that simple.
Breaking Barriers: Helping our Friends Have Access to Equal Job Opportunities
As the seasons change, we at City Relief are shifting our focus to a pressing issue that connects directly to homelessness: employment. This month, we want to unravel the intricacies of how the current employment system inherently discriminates against unhoused people.
Unseen Barriers: The Reality of Finding Employment while Unhoused
Today, I want to take a moment to discuss a topic that often remains unseen, yet significantly impacts those we serve at City Relief – the profound difficulty of securing employment when you're unhoused.
Lifelines Beyond Shelters - Access to Basic Necessities
As we wrap up our focus this month on Access to Food & Basic Necessities, I'd like to delve deeper into the role of shelters in addressing homelessness and where they sometimes fall short.
Climate Change and Homelessness: A Crucial Connection
We often hear about climate change and its devastating impact on our planet—melting ice caps, endangered polar bears, and extreme weather events. But have you ever considered how it affects the people who are the most vulnerable?
Waking Up Hungry: Help Us Battle Food Insecurity
Imagine waking up hungry and uncertain where your first and perhaps only meal of the day will come from. This is the harsh reality for many homeless individuals every single day.
A Vital Aspect of Dignity - Access to Basic Hygiene
Living on the streets, in shelters, or on subways presents a vast array of challenges that most of us never have to think about. In today's newsletter, I want to shed some light on one of the daily hurdles faced by many of our friends at City Relief - accessing basic hygiene facilities.
Taking Action for Housing Access: Advocating for Zoning Reform
As we conclude our July series on housing access, I want to spotlight the critical role that zoning laws play in determining the availability of affordable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Together, we can take action and advocate for zoning reforms that prioritize affordable housing options.
The Impossible Equation: Housing Access for Hardworking Individuals
As we continue our series on shelter and housing access throughout July, I want to discuss the impossible equation that many hardworking individuals face: the soaring cost of housing versus stagnant wages. It feels like this is one of the major issues in America these days. I personally want to invite you to you to join us in challenging the stereotypes and advocating for affordable housing solutions that align with people's incomes.
Navigating the Path to Housing
Have you ever wondered what it's like for someone experiencing homelessness who wants to find a home and rebuild their life? In this month's newsletter series, we will dive into the complexities of housing access and the challenges faced by individuals seeking to leave the streets behind.
Unlocking Dignity: A Closer Look at Homelessness and Shelter Conditions
Throughout July, I’ll be shedding light on the critical issue of housing access. Join me as I pull back the curtain and explore the hidden reality of homelessness within our city's shelter system.
Advocating for Better Health Care for Our Unhoused Neighbors
As we conclude our series on healthcare in June, I want to address the challenges that individuals experiencing homelessness face when it comes to accessing vital health care services. It is crucial that we understand these obstacles and work together to advocate for a more equitable and compassionate health care system for people on the margins.
Why Dental Care Matters for the Unhoused
As we continue the month of June, our focus remains on the healthcare challenges faced by the unhoused community. Today, I want to address an often-overlooked issue: dental and oral health among people experiencing homelessness.
Empowering Health Education and Preventive Care for the Homeless
Throughout the month of June, I'd like to focus on the critical topics of homelessness and having access to healthcare. In my years of experience working with City Relief I've seen time and time again how not having the right information or preventative care has disastrous effects. I can't stress enough the importance of health education and preventive care initiatives specifically tailored for the unhoused community.
Helping Eddie Find a New Home
Today we'd like to share a story from one of our community partners, Goddard Riverside. Goddard Riverside's housing units provide safe, affordable homes for some of New York City's most vulnerable populations, including older adults, formerly homeless people, and those with mental illness. Residents receive on-site services ranging from benefits assistance to mental health care to social activities that help ensure that individuals stay connected to their community.
The Power of Human Connection.
In a major city like NYC, it’s surprisingly easy to feel lonely. These days, it seems like connecting with others is difficult everywhere. In fact, studies show that 60% of Americans experience loneliness and isolation, and the problem is only getting worse. A 2018 study found that loneliness levels have been increasing over the past few decades.
How much do you know about mental illness?
Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? I don't know of anyone who hasn't been directly impacted by mental health challenges at some point in their lives. Whether it is you yourself, or someone you love, the reality is that at least one in five adults in the United States struggles with some form of mental illness.
The Hidden Struggles of Unhoused Women
Did you know that almost one-third of the unhoused population are women?
The Enemy of the Good
There’s a phrase I like to use, “Don’t let the great be the enemy of the good.” It means that sometimes a not ideal solution is better than no solution while you’re looking for the perfect solution.
Op-Ed in NY Daily News
Our CEO Josiah Haken and friend Deborah Berkman from the New York Legal Assistance Group penned an opinion piece for the New York Daily News. They write about NYC’s congregant shelters, and why they don’t work for so many that are experiencing homelessness.