Pandemic Don't Walk By 2021
For over 12 years, the Rescue Alliance has been able to positively impact the lives of our friends on the street giving them the opportunity for change. This year, our annual winter outreach has changed to Pandemic Don't Walk By, and there will be smaller teams of past volunteers. For safety reasons, we are being careful about opening this event to the wider public.
Every Saturday in February is still focused on one region in Manhattan. Each quadrant will have four "launch" sites, with five separate teams of five volunteers each per site. In total, we will have 100 volunteers per week. Each of the smaller teams will target key areas (vs. every block), and there will be no in-person training, group meals, or debriefs. Volunteers will still distribute resources, provide prayer and conversation, and offer dinner, overnight hospitality, and breakfast to everyone you engage with on the street.
We need both Team Leaders and Outreach Volunteers to be unified and make a big impact this year. While we strongly prefer past, experienced volunteers, we will also open to new volunteers who feel strongly called to serve neighbors in need. If you are ready and committed to serve, please register below. Also, Pandemic Don't Walk By will still happen rain, snow, or sunshine!
Saturday, February 6: Volunteer Survey
If you volunteered during the first Saturday, please fill out this short survey to give us feedback on how to improve future weeks!
Saturday, February 13: Volunteer Survey
If you volunteered during the second Saturday, please fill out this short survey to give us feedback on how to improve future weeks!
Saturday, February 20: Volunteer Survey
If you volunteered during the third Saturday, please fill out this short survey to give us feedback on how to improve future weeks!
Saturday, February 27: Uptown - Volunteer Survey
If you volunteered during the fourth Saturday, please fill out this short survey to give us feedback on how to improve future weeks!
About Rescue Alliance
Rescue Alliance is a collaboration of faith-based organizations working together to restore the well-being of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Our vision is to see a city where everyone belongs. Our mission is to end homelessness in New York City, and we believe life transformation occurs at the intersection of three essential elements of care. Six organizations—including Hope for New York—came together in 2008 to form Rescue Alliance and begin the first Don't Walk By event. Here are the organizations (and HFNY affiliates) that you can volunteer with to serve our homeless neighbors.
New York City Relief
New York City Relief uses buses as mobile soup kitchens to provide food, counseling, spiritual help, and resources to communities in need.
The Bowery Mission
The Bowery Mission is a faith-based program that offers compassionate care such as food, shelter, clothing, showers, and chapel services for homeless and hungry men, women, and children.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides services to those in need, including emergency social service programs, after-school programs, and disaster relief.
The Current and Future State of Homelessness in New York City
Rescue Alliance (a collaboration of faith-based organizations, including Hope for New York) gave a recent update about homelessness in our city. The Bowery Mission, New York City Relief. and The Salvation Army shared insights on serving people who struggle with homelessness during COVID-19. Watch the video below to get updates and hear ways you can continue serving our friends on the streets.
