Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter | June 2020
Neighborhood News June 2020
Many years ago, through an unfortunate set of circumstances, Faith Fraser found herself locked out of her apartment for a night. She went to a nearby church and slept on the floor of a conference room. That night she decided to make sure those without a home were taken care of.  

Already active in St. James’ Church on the Upper East Side, she began leading a Friday night free meal program for homeless neighbors and others suffering from food insecurity. She became more familiar with Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter through fellow St. James’ parishioner and NCS Board Member Jan Golann in 2017 and has been a champion of Street Sheets ever since, making sure our pocket-sized neighborhood resource guides are available to people who need information about where to access a free meal, connect with emergency housing, take a shower, and more.

When the pandemic hit New York City in March, Faith wanted to make sure that our Upper East Side residents were being fed. Many of them rely on free meal programs for lunch and dinner, and while St. James’ has temporarily suspended their program, Faith connected us with the meal programs at Church of the Epiphany and Unitarian Church of All Souls.

She has been going to each of their weekly meal programs, which have been converted into brown bag meal giveaways so as to maintain social distancing. She picks up meals and delivers them to the NCS Residence to ensure our tenants have food.


If you would like to volunteer with NCS, sign up here!
Our Work Never Stops: a virtual benefit honoring NCS's Frontline Staff
On May 12, 2020 Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter had our first-ever Virtual Spring Benefit! We honored and heard from NCS's frontline workers, our heroes who are leaving their homes and showing up to ensure that our homeless and at-risk neighbors have a safe home to stay in.

Thanks to supporters like you, we raised almost $175,000! This enables NCS to continue to provide a home, a community, and the support our clients need. Thank you!

We aren’t finished yet! Our frontline heroes continue to keep our residents and clients safe and healthy, while also taking care of their emotional needs. Although the event is over, you can still help! Donate here to support our residents, clients, and frontline workers.

Louis Nine House Resident Sews Masks for Those who Can't Afford Them
When the COVID-19 pandemic came to New York City, Louis Nine House resident, Muray LaNell was inspired by one of her fashion role models to do something to help others.

“I have asthma and so I have had to take this seriously but we all have to protect ourselves and I know firsthand that not everyone can afford to keep buying masks. I first got into fashion about two years ago and I was inspired by Christian Siriano to make masks. He was the first fashion designer to begin making them and I knew that I had to do something to help people who couldn’t afford to buy their own. I love using my passion for fashion and design in this way.”

Thank you Muray for giving back and paying it forward.
Thank you to our NCS heroes!
Thank you to the NCS staff on the frontlines who continue to go above and beyond for our clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

These heroes quickly adjusted when safety precautions changed everything about the way they do their jobs—forcing them to find new ways to help everyone stay physically and emotionally safe. These are just some of the many ways our staff is doing everything they can to make sure our clients thrive:

  • When the front-desk staff member at the NCS Residence noticed that tenants seemed bored, he made copies of crossword puzzles so they could stay engaged. 
  • Even during the pandemic, the team at Louis Nine House has supported three tenants to find apartments and move out to start their lives and create a better future for themselves.
  • Our Facilities team has been meticulous, making sure that the residences are clean to help our tenants and staff stay safe and healthy.
  • When our staff at the NCS Residence noticed that residents weren’t being diligent with face masks and social distancing, they created the COVID-19 Warriors program, to reward tenants who comply with these protocols and incentivize others to do the same
  • COVID-19 can’t stop the Options team from helping LNH residents who are looking for jobs. They have been in touch with businesses that are hiring during the pandemic, and have helped residents prepare for their first-ever virtual job interviews!
  • When their clinic space was closed, the Chance for Change staff still managed to connect with all of their clients to provide individual counseling sessions through telehealth.
  • Social distancing put an end to group activities and workshops, so Louis Nine House launched a weekly coloring group, where staff and residents gather on zoom to talk, color, and relieve stress. 
  • Among their other responsibilities, the staff at the NCS Residence has taken on the role of Tech Support, helping tenants who are new to technology learn to use tablets provided to support telehealth, virtual connection with friends and family, reading, watching movies, and more.
When COVID-19 hit New York City, our neighbors really stepped up! Special thanks to...
Thank you for providing meals, stocking our food pantry, bringing PPE, and more. This support, along with the volunteers who made it all possible, kept our clients safe in this time of uncertainty! Thank you.
Now, more than ever, our community needs us. And we need you.  
As summer approaches, the future has never felt so unpredictable. For our clients who have endured the instability of homelessness, today’s uncertainty is particularly hard. 
 
At Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, we've kept our programs open and are doing everything possible to provide critical services to vulnerable New Yorkers, many of whom have nowhere else to turn. 
 
Please make a gift to support Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter. If you can,  make an automated monthly donation ! Regular donations like this are so important because they provide support that we can count on, all year long.
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
Executive Director
 
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.