New York Foundation

The New York Foundation is a steadfast supporter of community organizing and advocacy. We believe that the resilience and vitality of New Yorkers is the city’s greatest resource, and we value the courage and experience of community groups and their leaders. In the ongoing struggle for equity, the Foundation supports grassroots initiatives that confront systemic barriers and inspire people to work toward a more just and inclusive city. We are excited to begin working with ALIGN NY, Damayan Migrant Workers Association, GOLES - Good Old Lower East Side, Neighbors Together, Queer Detainee Empowerment Project, Street Vendor Project, The Point CDC, & Workers Justice Project - Proyecto Justicia Laboral. Edited by Kyu Nakama, direction by Maggie Colgan. Special thanks to Maria Mottola & Ruhama Mumin!

Introducing our latest grantee partners! This February we have the honor of funding five incredible start-up organizations--A Little Piece of Light, Inc., Farm School NYC, Freedom Agenda, South Queens Women's March, and Women's Empowerment Coalition of NYC! The New York Foundation is a steadfast supporter of community organizing and advocacy. We believe that the resilience and vitality of New Yorkers is the city’s greatest resource, and we value the courage and experience of community groups and their leaders. Edited by Kyu Nakama, direction by Maggie Colgan.

The rent issue is a crisis of remarkable proportions, said Lucas Sanchez, director of the Long Island region for New York Communities for Change. People are being backed into a corner where they have no choice but to rent strike. by Newsday https://lght.ly/2ca3cd9

"You have to release them. It’s the only human thing to do, and it’s the moral thing to do," said Jose Saldana, director of Release Aging People in Prison - RAPP Hear Jose Saldana's interview with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now!: https://lght.ly/oo9mnob

"Far too often, low-wage immigrant workers, who do not have access to available safety net programs, are left out of disaster responses while bearing the brunt of the difficult and dangerous work that comes in the wake of these disasters." Ligia Guallpa, executive director of Workers Justice Project - Proyecto Justicia Laboral, and Annabel Short's piece in Urban Omnibus about the missions and goals of Worker's Justice Project: https://lght.ly/mbi8kna

"It is just a matter of time before a lack of action will turn fatal. We call [for] clemencies to the many elder New Yorkers and other immune-compromised people before it’s too late," read a statement from Voices Of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL-NY) by Spectrum News NY1 https://lght.ly/5ei901n

IT'S CENSUS DAY! 1 year ago we said: #EveryNewYorker deserves to be counted! Today is that day! We need an accurate count for all our communities in New York. Fill out the census today at https://my2020census.gov #GetCounted

"That's one of Picture the Homeless’ biggest messages: housing, not a shelter. [You] have all these people in these shelters all these years, and now you’ve got a pandemic, and they don’t have their own apartment to lock down, cook food," said Charmel Lucas, a member of Picture the Homeless by Truthout https://lght.ly/b545m36

"You can't imagine how someone can survive on 10% of their income. [Street vendors] don't have any other options; they won't qualify for any unemployment insurance or any paid sick leave," said Mohamed Attia of Street Vendor Project Attia's interview w/ Spectrum News NY1 on the devastating impact of COVID-19 on street vendors: https://lght.ly/dlkid16

Throughout the [outreach] process, there is hesitancy, said Javier López, chief strategy officer at Red Hook Initiative. "This is not Sandy. This is different. It’s a different response. They’re checking in through social distancing." by The New York Times https://lght.ly/6aljo9

Their lives are not disposable and their needs must be addressed with the same urgency and compassion as those who have housing. Open letter from Voices Of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL-NY), Picture the Homeless, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR), Neighbors Together & more, calling for emergency action to address the survival needs of homeless New Yorkers: https://lght.ly/d9bin43

"We urge you, in your dedication to the public health of all New Yorkers, to immediately adopt the recommendations we outline below:" Communities United for Police Reform (CPR)'s letter to the mayor: https://lght.ly/913oilh

"Our immigrant workforce is risking their lives to keep us safe. We must do everything in our power to protect them and not forget them as before." New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) responds to the Coronavirus in El Diario Nueva York https://lght.ly/aff6dd5

"We call on the governor to start the process of extending clemencies to the vulnerable elderly incarcerated men and women in state prisons, who are facing death during this serious time," said Jose Saldana, director of Release Aging People in Prison - RAPP Advocates w/ Release Aging People in Prison - RAPP, Voices Of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL-NY) & more gathered to call for clemency for the vulnerable in prison! To learn more about Release Aging People in Prison - RAPP, check out their website: http://rappcampaign.com/

"The only way we can have a conversation about the numbers and who is accurate is if we compare apples to apples. We’ve given our soft-site analysis. We’re asking [the city] to give us the same in return," said Jose Lopez, deputy director of Make the Road New York by City Limits https://lght.ly/j7lb3ld

"As we transition to renewable energy, it is critical that fossil-fuel dependent workers and communities do not get left behind." NY Renews at the first meeting of the Climate Action Council to ensure that justice, jobs, and climate are all prioritized in the transition towards a greener economy! To learn more about NY Renews, check out their website: https://www.nyrenews.org/

"The MTA should prioritize low-income neighborhoods as it enhances riders' ability to reach work, educational, and other opportunities." said Stephanie Burgos-Veras, campaign manager at Riders Alliance. by Queens Daily Eagle https://lght.ly/jb12l9