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We Continue to Need your Help!
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| | We are living in unprecedented times where racism and COVID-19 continue to disproportionally impact our communities of color. The social inequality that permeates these communities is more acute for the seriously mentally ill. The trauma our clients experience and the impact on their mental and physical health, well-being and equal access to justice, cannot be minimized.
Our eblasts highlight the extraordinary front line work we are doing in the hardest hit communities, through our clinical programs, in our supportive housing residences and in the community to provide trauma informed care for the most vulnerable New Yorkers.
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| | COVID-19: Impact on Supportive Housing
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| | Sakinah (left) and Beverly (right) |
| | Our next story highlights Beverly and Sakinah who are case workers in the Bridge’s supportive housing program.
Bridge clients struggle with serious mental illnesses, repeated incarcerations and institutionalizations, substance abuse and chronic medical conditions. Without a stable and permanent living situation, the chances of their recovery are greatly diminished. The Bridge addresses this issue by providing over 1400 units of permanent supportive housing to the most vulnerable New Yorkers who might otherwise be living on the streets.
Those who work in supportive housing have adjusted to the new protocols created by COVID-19. We now provide tele-health services rather than home visits with clients who live in individual apartments to ensure they are living safely, taking their medications and eating well.
When there is a concern about a client, Beverly and Sakinah go out into the field to address any crisis or incident that might arise; otherwise they work remotely. The Bridge supplies phones to clients so staff members can provide tele-health. Sakinah expressed that while the clients do miss the personal visits, they understand it is not possible during the COVID pandemic.
Both Sakinah and Beverly expressed the concern they experience when a client does not respond to calls for a few days. At times, staff wait outside a client’s door hoping to run into their client. They feel a huge relief when a day goes by without incident. As Beverly stated, “The Bridge continues doing the best we can for our clients.”
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| Please Support Our Virtual 2020 Annual Dinner Challenge
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| The Bridge cancelled its annual Partner’s in Caring Awards dinner which was planned for June 2, 2020. This loss of revenue, at a time when our expenses have increased substantially due to the COVID-19 crisis, will have a tremendous impact on our financial resources over the coming year.
Our unexpected costs due to COVID-19 will soon reach $1,000,000.
Our goal for this challenge is to raise $250,000 by June 30, 2020.
Our Board of Directors has generously agreed to match $100,000 of this amount. Please consider making a donation in lieu of attending our annual dinner, to help offset the following emergency costs in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
• Over $200,000 for medical and other essential supplies to help protect our front-line staff and help keep our facilities clean and sanitized. Care packages and food deliveries help our clients follow the “stay at home” order and health and safety guidelines.
• More than $250,000 per month for personnel costs for overtime, incentive and sick pay for staff to fill in extra shifts as colleagues are out on sick leave and to ensure that our programs remain open.
• $500,000 for technology equipment and connectivity to provide tele-health which is crucial to helping clients maintain their psychiatric and physical health stability thereby reducing unnecessary hospitalization and emergency room use.
We are truly grateful for all your help thus far and hope you contribute to this special appeal.
All donations are 100% tax deductible and will help us continue to provide our essential services to our vulnerable population.
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