🐝 What's All the Buzz About?

From Hive to Hope: Building Skills and Confidence Through Beekeeping

At a Services for the UnderServed (S:US) supportive housing community in Brooklyn, beekeeping provides more than honey. Through our therapeutic horticulture and urban agriculture programs, New Yorkers with intellectual/developmental disabilities, behavioral health challenges, and histories of homelessness gain valuable job skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

Brooklyn beekeeping program helps people with disabilities build skills, community and confidence

Participants care for beehives and S:US Urban Farms® that produce hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs for residents while building meaningful connections and vocational experience. As featured by CBS New York, this innovative program is helping people grow not just food, but brighter futures.

Program participants with staff at The Metropolitan Art Museum.

Celebrating Disability Pride Through Art, Access and Belonging

Participants from S:US’ Day Habilitation programs experienced the power of inclusion through a private guided tour and hands-on art workshop at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Exploring world-renowned artwork, sharing their creativity, and engaging with peers in a welcoming cultural space, participants embraced the spirit of Disability Pride Month celebrating the talents, contributions, and full participation of people with disabilities in community life.

The experience left a lasting impression. As participant Valerie shared, "I liked the tiles and the mosaic and the prayer on the tile door... It felt good to see it; it was my first time at this museum. It was beautiful!"

Disability Pride Month reminds us that everyone deserves the chance to learn, create, connect, and thrive in their community.

Melrose North in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx.

From Former Trash Compactor Site to Award-Winning Affordable Housing

Melrose North, one of our affordable and supportive housing developments in the Bronx, has been awarded the 2026 Berger Prize for Public Space, recognizing projects that demonstrate bold vision, strong community partnership, and lasting public impact. What was once an underutilized NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) site has been transformed into a 171-unit community where New Yorkers can access safe, affordable housing, supportive services, green space, and opportunities to thrive.

This recognition highlights the power of community-centered development to create not just housing, but places of dignity, connection, and opportunity. Through partnerships with Bronx Pro Group and Curtis + Ginsberg Architects, Melrose North stands as a model for addressing New York City's housing crisis while strengthening neighborhoods.

Thank you to our donors, funders, volunteers, and supporters whose commitment makes
our mission possible every day. Your generosity and partnership strengthen our
work and create real, lasting impact for the communities we serve.

For inquiries concerning New York charitable organizations, call the

Attorney General’s Charities Bureau at (212) 416-8401 or visit https://www.charitiesnys.com.