A Message from Our CEO
June is LGBTQ Pride Month in commemoration of the 1969 uprising at the Stonewall Inn.
Pride is a time for celebration, acknowledgment and activism.
And as I look back on the past year, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
In November, we began development for our third supportive housing site serving LGBTQ young adults. Homeward Central Harlem opens fall 2023.
Supporters like you increased their giving for the homeless young families, seniors and LGBTQ youth we serve.
Volunteers found creative new ways to stay involved. We’ve compiled a partial list of that volunteerism for this newsletter.
Still, establishing a “new normal” during the pandemic has been a challenge—even with vaccines available starting mid-2021. Nationwide, workers re-evaluated work/life priorities. We experienced some staff turnover. Supervisors did double duty to maintain a continuity of care until new staff were hired.
I’m proud to work with such a caring and professional team. Nonprofits provide most of the housing and care for the City’s homeless persons. However, underfunded City contracts keep many human services workers utilizing the same services their clients need.
This past year—in coalition with other providers—we advocated for a base wage wage that’s a living wage for human services workers under City contract. Human services workers help vulnerable New Yorkers not just survive but thrive. Human services workers deserve to not just survive but thrive, too.
The Pride Month spirit is one of both celebration and activism.
Thank you for your giving, your volunteerism, and for staying informed about critical issues facing homeless New Yorkers.
Your generosity is life-changing for homeless young mothers, children, LGBTQ youth, and seniors. Thank you again!
Stay up to date on resident and staff stories by following us on social media @HomewardNYC and signing up for email news at www.homeward.nyc/updates.
All the best,
Jeannette K. Ruffins
Chief Executive Officer
June 2022
Inside the Summer 2022 newsletter: Your Impact in 2021 and Honor Roll of Donors…