CEO Letter About COVID-19
Editor's Note: As of Friday, March 27, 95% of our affiliate programs are affected by COVID-19.
Dear Friends,
Hope for New York has been actively monitoring the development of COVID-19 in NYC and its impact on our 60+ affiliates. As of today, 80% of our affiliate programs have been suspended or modified due to COVID-19. For the affiliates that remain open, they are offering essential programs, such as providing meals and shelter, and also taking the necessary precautions to protect the safety of their community.
We know that crises like this disproportionately affects our city's most vulnerable populations whether it is low-income families, homeless, elderly, people with disabilities, etc. To respond to the needs of our affiliates, our HFNY staff has transitioned to ‘disaster relief’ mode as we have done in the past during the 9/11 tragedy and Hurricane Sandy. We are shifting all of our priorities to identify ways we can support our affiliates during this COVID-19 crisis and beyond as we expect there to be a long-term recovery process. To support our HFNY network, we have created a COVID-19 Resource Guide for our volunteers, affiliates, church partners and donors, which will be regularly updated.
Many of you are asking how you can help during this time. In this season, how do we love and serve our neighbors well when we are asked to socially distance ourselves? We believe there are three critical ways you can engage: Pray, Serve and Give.
Pray. Pray for our affiliates. Here are the specific prayer requests they’ve shared as they navigate this unprecedented crisis.
Serve. Volunteer with our affiliates providing essential services. We have created a COVID-19 Urgent Needs page that will be updated regularly. With a steep decline in volunteers, they need your help only if you are able.
Give. Give to Hope for New York. HFNY partners with 60+ organizations who serve our most vulnerable communities. We will support them with emergency/supplemental grants as they anticipate serving even more people with less resources.
We are so grateful for the many generous ways you have partnered with us as a volunteer, donor, church and affiliate. We ask that you prayerfully consider how you can engage in the weeks and months to come.
Praying for our city and world,
Chief Executive Officer