COVID-19 Impact Fund
View our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and learn how you can help homeless New Yorkers during this time.
At this difficult time for our city and country, all of us at Care For the Homeless (CFH) recognize how many needs and challenges we all face today and in the next few months as the pandemic surges. With every daily update, things change, but as the days pass and with the positive news of vaccines, there are glimmers of hope.
Thank you!
At the beginning of the pandemic and the cityโs lock-down, we created the CFH COVID-19 Impact Fund, launched with a generous matching challenge of $10,000, to help cover the unanticipated costs of responding to the public health crisis affecting our staff, patients and shelter residents. Our friends responded and to-date, just over $53,000 has been raised. But as our city and country experience a second surge, the need continues.
Weโve set a new goal for the fund of $100,000 by December 31st.
If you can at this time, please consider making a donation of any amount to the fund. Read more below on the pandemicโs impact, our response and current status of services.
The CFH COVID-19 Pandemic Response:
For all services and operations, CFH is rigorously following guidance of the CDC, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Health, NYS Department of Health, and NYC Department of Homeless Services. With 26 health center sites and 2 shelters that house 320 medically frail and mentally ill women, CFH has worked round-the-clock to continue providing critical support and services to our patients and residents.
The Need:
The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious situation everywhere but it is impacting the homeless sector in significant ways. At CFH, we know that over 50% of our adult patients have over-lapping, co-morbid conditions. This includes Diabetes, hypertension and/or asthma. All have been identified by medical authorities as serious underlying issues that could worsen the virus and reduce the chances of recovery.
In addition, mental health issues are 3 to 4 times more prevalent in the homeless population than the general public. This further complicates a homeless personโs ability to manage their medications and/or moderate their behavior to either prevent themselves from being exposed or contaminating others around them.
In order to manage and treat these conditions (and many others)ย we must retain a full roster of professional health care staff. In addition, we must also have the essential equipment and supplies to not only deliver services, but also protect our staff.
CFH faces a myriad of challenges related to the delivery of health care and shelter services. However, the health centers and shelters must and will stay open for homeless New Yorkers until otherwise directed.
Our exceptional health care team, made up of physicians, nurse managers, RNs, medical assistants, dental staff, mental health and behavioral health professionals, will continue to deliver the highest-quality services to vulnerable New Yorkers. And our dedicated shelter staff will continue to support and provide essential services to residents.
The COVID-19 Impact Fund
The greatest needs where your financial support will be allocated are:
- Purchase extra supplies, so that weโre prepared for supply chain disruptions and to protect our staff, patients and residents.
- Purchase the additional technology needed to provide virtual, telehealth visits to patients and shelter residents.
- Hire temporary medical professionals to fill-in when a CFH health care provider needs to be out for illness, family or other need.
