Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter | April 2021
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Neighborhood News April 2021
Letter from Ann L. Shalof, CEO
One year ago, New York City was in the early days of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like so many people, I expected it to last several weeks, maybe a few months. It didn’t occur to me that, one year later, we would still be wearing masks, social distancing, and, if our jobs allowed, working from home.

It has been a year filled with sadness and struggle. We've struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic and the virus of racism and hate. But times like these also show strengths that are important to recognize and celebrate.

RESILIENCE
Over the past year, I have seen resilience in our tenants and clients that is remarkable. The pandemic has tested them, it has been challenging—but they haven’t given up. Because of this, we have also celebrated their graduations, new jobs, promotions, and new homes.

DEDICATION
Their success is connected to the dedication of NCS’s staff. Our front-line workers have continued to demonstrate a remarkable commitment to our residents and clients. Whether it is encouragement or tough love, our front-line team is there to help them thrive.

ADAPTABILITY
In a year that was unlike any other, the adaptability shown by NCS’s staff has amazed me. Our program staff quickly adapted to delivering services in new ways and providing new services. Our administrative staff packed up to work from home for a few weeks that turned into a year, but they never missed a beat. While we can’t wait to go back to “normal,” we’ve also made some helpful adaptations that we’ll continue to retain in our work.

GENEROSITY
An almost unimaginable year was met by inspiring generosity from our supporters. You stepped up with donations to make sure we could continue our work without interruption. You reached out to ask about ways to volunteer—and you helped deliver meals, prepared job seekers for virtual interviews, tutored residents, sponsored food and clothing drives, and more.

PERSEVERANCE
COVID-19 hit New York City hard and fast—and many people are still struggling. But nobody can count our city out. The perseverance that got us through terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and economic downturns makes me believe that New York City will emerge stronger than ever!

With you in our corner, NCS was able to help people who most needed our support during the past year. And together, we will continue to provide a home, a community, and access to the services that New Yorkers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness need to thrive.
For 15 years, Mary Athridge lived down the block from the NCS Residence on the Upper East Side. She would often pass the residents on the street, and, through the years, she got to know a few of them when they stopped to pet her dog, Bailey.

A few years ago, Mary was looking for an organization to support with a monthly donation. She liked the ease of monthly giving because you can “set it and forget it.” This simple way to give makes a meaningful impact on an organization, allowing them to know that your support is coming next month and plan ahead.

Mary decided on NCS since it’s right in her backyard and she felt connected over the years to the tenants.

Recently, Mary lost her job. Still, she feels it’s important to keep up her monthly support of Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, sharing that “not all folks have the safety net that I have. It’s important to me to keep donating to NCS to help my former neighbors. People have had the ground fall out from under them with no safety net. I’m lucky that I have one. Not being employed right now really puts things into perspective. And I feel good about what I’m putting out into the world while I’m looking for my next job.”

Thank you, Mary, for your continued support of Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter.

Monthly donors like Mary are behind the success stories at NCS. Join Circle of Neighbors and see how easy it is to make a lasting difference with NCS.
Do you have a creative approach to homelessness? Do you know someone else who might?

We want to give you $5,000 to help make your innovative solution a reality!


And then tell your friends, family, colleagues, and all of the problem solvers in your life to apply!

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Racism has no place in our neighborhood. Racism has no place in any neighborhood. 
  
We first shared these words almost a year ago, as our country and our community were shaken by the killings of George Floyd and other Black Americans and forced to confront the racism that persists in our society. Today we express these sentiments again as our Asian American and Pacific Islander neighbors have been subjected to verbal attacks, harassment, assault, and murder. Such discrimination is by no means new, but has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  
Today NCS mourns the loss of those whose lives have been taken and stands in solidarity with the AAPI community that has been so deeply affected. At the same time, we recommit ourselves to speaking out against racism and injustice directed against any community. Racism has no place any place. 
  
NCS: A Place for Book Lovers
Tenants at the NCS Residence have struggled with homelessness, and many have a history of mental illness. A few years ago, a long-time resident struggled with stockpiling books, newspapers, and magazines. His small bedroom contained so much paper that we were concerned for his safety.

Our staff was careful but persistent in supporting the resident with minimizing the safety risk in his unit. Initially, the resident was invited by the program director to lead the creation of a library on the 7th floor with books donated by generous NCS donors. Once he was comfortable with that, the resident was presented with the option of sharing his cherished and expansive book collection with others. Eventually, he meticulously organized the many books that he was willing to share with his NCS neighbors. They were moved to the library, and he became the library's ambassador, encouraging other residents to share their books as well.

We now have a wonderful reading library in the community room of our building that residents are welcome to visit and borrow from. The book-loving resident continues to encourage reading and makes sure the bookshelves are organized and tidy.
Administrative Office 
50 Broadway
Suite 1301 
New York, NY 10004
Phone: (212) 537-5100
Fax: (212) 860-2301
ncs@ncsinc.org
www.ncsinc.org

Board of Directors 
David A. Oliver
President
Wolcott B. Dunham, Jr.
Stephanie W. Guest
Thomas J. Kilkenny
Stuart N. Siegel
Vice Presidents
Susan Stevens
Treasurer
Jan F. Golann
Secretary

Victoria Bert
Barbara Chocky
Anne S. Davidson
Abigail Black Elbaum
Patricia Falk
Alice Greif
Matthew D. Hughes
Oren K. Isacoff
Ann Ross Loeb
Rachael Piltch-Loeb
Marta Radzyminski
Stephanie Shuman
Christopher W. Solomon

Ann L. Shalof
Chief Executive Officer
 
NCS Programs
 
Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter provides New Yorkers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with a home, a community, and access to the services that they need to thrive. We create innovative solutions and engage community partners to provide housing and support that can transform lives.