Summertime came and went. While the weeks leading up to the first day school were filled excitement, they were also filled with last minute shopping and preparation for the new school year. This time of year can be a financial burden for our families with school age children at the Lenniger and Sydelle supportive housing residences. But thanks to the generosity of Henry and Sydelle Ostberg, we were able to provide all of our students with school supplies to help better prepare them for a successful school year!
We are pleased to introduce to you our donor of the month, Oren! At just six years old, Oren is our youngest donor in CUCS history and we’re so honored that he chose to support our work.
During the end of July, a group of tenants at The Christopher supportive housing residence gathered for a UNITY group meeting. Comprised of tenants and staff, the group meets every Friday to discuss topics like spirituality, sexuality, politics, mental health, race and community. Since its inception, the group has gained a following of tenants looking to make their home a place of openness and understanding. By tackling challenging and at times divisive topics, the group has created an atmosphere of unity in a diverse community.
Every spring, Marble Collegiate Church, located in the heart of Chelsea, awards grants to organizations in New York City and abroad through the Easter Offering campaign. The campaign is funded entirely with contributions by the Church’s congregation, friends, and families. This year, CUCS was selected and awarded a grant, and our PPOH Consumer Advisory Board (CAB) is ready to put the grant to work!
Mental illness and substance use disorders are central factors contributing to street homelessness for many individuals which often prevent them from getting the support they need. Our psychiatric services are essential for these homeless individuals to work with our outreach program and move towards permanent housing. To learn more about outreach psychiatry, we sat down with Joanna Fried, MD, the Medical Director for the Manhattan Outreach Consortium (MOC), to discuss the work of psychiatric providers, the program’s evolution and the future of psychiatric outreach in New York City.