Don't Walk By update (January 2022): In order to continue serving for our homeless neighbors and also make sure we keep everyone (guests, volunteers, staff) safe, we are evolving Don't Walk By again this year! Our biggest changes:
- Outreach is moving to three weekends in March/April. With increasing concerns around Omicron, we are delaying outreach and focusing on three Saturdays instead: March 26, April 2, April 9. Each weekend’s host site will be at a different Salvation Army location.
- Volunteers are still needed. As always, we want our neighbors in need to be seen and cared for! Volunteers are crucial, and we'll need them for Team Leaders, Outreach, Hospitality, and more. We will also be providing boxed to-go meals, plus our usual resources.
- Volunteers are encouraged to be vaccinated and boostered. To ensure the health and safety of all our guests, volunteers will need either proof of vaccination or a recent negative test during check-in.
We will share more detailed updates in February when we finalize plans. Thanks for your flexibility and patience!
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.
HFNY Affiliates Participating in Homelessness Summit
If you attended Come Together: Virtual Homelessness Summit on March 20, we hope you will take the next step and find a volunteer opportunity to serve neighbors in need! Explore ways to serve through Rescue Alliance organizations, organizations featured at the Summit, and more!
All Angels' Church
All Angels' Church is an Episcopal church that serves the holistic needs of homeless men and women in the church and its surrounding community through meals, Sunday worship, Bible studies, drop-in service programs and a recovery cafe.
Recovery House of Worship Brooklyn
Recovery House of Worship Brooklyn creates environments to help hurting people heal, from providing holistic care to those experiencing or recovering from addiction to meeting the practical needs of individuals and families in Downtown Brooklyn.
Safe Families for Children
Safe Families for Children creates extended family-like support for families in crisis through a community of compassionate volunteers.
Other HFNY Affiliates Serving Homeless Neighbors
Dream Center
Dream Center NYC's exists to partner with local communities through programs designed around identity, empowerment, purpose, and neighborhood engagement in order to see neighborhoods flourish across New York City.
Graffiti 2 Community Ministries
Graffiti 2 Community Ministries serves children, teens, adults and families in the Mott Haven neighborhood. Through after school, summer, workforce development and community programs, Graffiti 2 meets the holistic needs of its neighbors.
St. Paul's House
St. Paul's House offers food programs as well as job training, transitional housing, and discipleship programs to men who are experiencing homelessness or addiction issues.
The Father's Heart
The Father's Heart Ministries provides services to the unemployed, at-risk youth, immigrants, and those without social or family support.
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 changed to Pandemic Don't Walk By, and there were smaller teams of past volunteers. For safety reasons, we were careful about opening this event to the wider public.
Thank you to all 375 volunteers who served this year, engaging with 697 guests and distributing 596 backpacks! Watch a video of highlights from this year:
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.
