Community Resources
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 authorized the payment of P-EBT food benefits to households with children who would have received free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Act, if not for a school closure. These temporary food benefits are to help cover the cost of meals children would otherwise would have received at school.
NYC Well
NYC Well provides free, confidential mental health support. Speak to a counselor via phone, text, or chat and get access to mental health and substance use services 24/7.
1-888-NYC-WELL
NAMI NYC-Free Support
NAMI NYC Helpline is available as a source of information and support. You can call from 10 am to 6 pm – or email anytime. Call us at 212-684-3264. Or email helpline@naminyc.org
Free Weekly Virtual Support Groups
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NYC is holding weekly free virtual (video or phone) support groups in a variety of topics. Check out the calendar for times and how to virtually attend. Some of the options are
Parents of Children and Young Adults-peer run support group where you can share experience and learn coping strategies
Wellness Chats-for anyone who needs to connect. Share how you're handling and coping, what is difficult, and connect with others.
Find Your Funny and You'll Find You're Funny-peer support using humor, become emotionally resilient
Young Adults (18-30) with mental illness learn coping skills, gain self-advocacy skills, and get support from peers.
NAMI NYC also holds 6-8 week free classes
NAMI Basics-class for parents and caregivers of children 17 and under who are showing signs of emotional and/or behavioral difficulties. Starts June 3!
Bases y Fundamentos de NAMI es por seis semanas, el curso educativo gratis ofrecido a padreso familiares que cuiden de un niño o adolescente que tenga alguna deficiencia emocional
Free 8-week class for family, significant others, and friends of people living with mental illness. In the class you will learn hot to manage crises, solve problems, communicate effectively, how to find and use local supports and services, managing stress, and more.
De Familia a Familia es el curso de NAMI, reconocido y cientificamente probado, ofrecido por 12 semanas para familiares de individuos con severas enfermedades mentales.
Just Released FAQs by NY State on Healthcare and Insurance
Are you a New Yorker who has COVID-19 or lives with someone COVID-19? You may be eligible for a temporary hotel stay.
Food Resources
NYC School Food pick up
3 meals available for pick up per day (Monday – Friday).
7:30 - 11:30 AM for children and families, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM for adults.
No one is turned away.
All 3 meals can be picked up at one time.
Vegetarian and halal options available at every site.
Parents/guardians may pick up meals for their children.
Registration/ID not required.
NYC Government:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/helpnownyc/get-help/individuals.page
Examples of the resources discussed:
FoodHelp NYC - find your local food pantry and a location near your home where free meals are being distributed.
NYC Department for the Aging which offers home-delivered meals for individuals 60 years or older. To find out more information, visit the website, email agingconnect@aging.nyc.gov, or call 212-244-6469. Information can also be found: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dfta/services/find-help.page.
Access NYC: https://access.nyc.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/#section-4
Online sites where you can use SNAP/food stamp benefits as well as an app that helps you check your SNAP balance on your phone.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Call 311 and ask for the Get Food NYC program to receive food in about 48 hours. Re-enroll every 2 days.
Coronavirus NYC Food Resource Guide (Hunger College, New York City Food Policy Center): https://www.nycfoodpolicy.org/coronavirus-nyc-food-reports/
Food Bank NYC: https://www.foodbanknyc.org/get-help/
Food pantries and grab-and-go meals
God’s Love We Deliver: https://www.glwd.org/
Meal delivery for individuals living with serious illnesses who are unable to provide/prepare meals for themselves.
Meals on Wheels: https://www.citymeals.org/
Meal delivery for homebound seniors.
Center for Independence of the Disabled, NYC: https://www.cidny.org/food-stamps/ or call 844-862-7930
USDA's National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3 HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8 HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273)
PDHP Parent Outreach Coordinator
PDHP's awesome Parent Outreach Coordinator engages parents through her program Parents as a Resource (P.A.R.). Check out her pages for her video posts to offer parents encouragement, support, and tangible steps to engage children who are home during the day. Also she started a blog to share her thoughts, reflections, and musings with parents.
Facebook Page:
PDHP Parents (https://www.facebook.com/PDHPParents/)
Blog on Diocese Website:
https://news.catholicschoolsbq.org/category/parent-resources/
Mental Health Hotlines
Call 911 for emergency needs.
To reach PDHP for less severe cases and ongoing support, call 718-550-0025.
NY State has created a "New York State COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline. According to Gov. Cuomo, anyone can call the hotline and schedule an appointment with a mental health professional for free — "to talk to them about what you're feeling and what stress you're feeling."
For FREE emotional support, consultation, and referral to a provider, call 1-844-863-9314
New York Public Library has put together lists of many resources and information in response to COVID-19.
Information on unemployement, financial counseling, healthcare, mental health, resources for food for those unable to leave their home or are food insecure, and information on housing. Click the buttons below for access to all of these resources.
Free Legal Resource Hotline
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) has launched the FREE NY COVID-19 Legal Resource Hotline to help NYC residents impacted by COVID-19 to get answers to their legal questions
They can offer advice on the following
Advanced planning (power of attorney, wills, standby guardianship
Consumer debt (debt collection, wage garnishment)
Employee rights (paid leave, FMLA, working conditions)
Housing (eviction, rent arrears, foreclosure, mortgage relief options)