Subject: Stories from The Bridge

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Stories from The Bridge


We Continue to 
Need your Help!
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.
Staff respond to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we all do our jobs. In mid-March, The Bridge transitioned most staff to remote work, while key essential staff continued to work in the field.

Our next story highlights Luis and Wilson, two examples of Bridge staff stepping up to ensure staff and clients are safe and staff can effectively work remotely.
Luis is a maintenance worker at our Melrose Housing Complex. Luis has been working six days a week since March. His daily routine now includes disinfecting the entire building every three hours in addition to his regular duties. He mentioned that clients and other staff have expressed feeling safer when they see him spraying down the doors, counters and other commonly touched areas of the building. He appreciates all the thanks he receives for keeping the building safe and clean.
Wilson is a computer specialist in our IT department. His job is to fix any technological issues that staff members encounter as they work remotely. He points out that it was easier to identify issues while meeting in person and figuring it out solutions remotely takes longer. While it is harder to solve issues remotely, Wilson finds new ways to uncover the tech issues and remedy the situation for staff.

From making sure clients feel safe in their buildings to ensuring our staff have working technology to meet with clients via telehealth our support staff provides key services during this pandemic. Luis and Wilson are two people who help the Bridge continue to provide essential services to New Yorkers. 
Please Support Our Virtual 2020 Annual Dinner Challenge
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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The Bridge, 290 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10027, United States
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    This is an online snapshot of a newsletter created by the owner of The Bridge Mailing List (The Bridge, 290 Lenox Avenue, 10027 New York, United States) and sent via GetResponse on 2020-06-25. Report abuse