Planting Roots at Bedford Green House

Alexis and NYC Mayor Eric Adams in front of Bedford Green House

During her year-long stay at a Bronx family shelter, Alexis routinely walked by the construction site for Bedford Green House, Project Renewal’s newest affordable and supportive housing development. She dreamed of living in the new building with her five-year-old son, Cairo. Today, Alexis’ dream is a reality. In February 2022, she and Cairo were among Bedford Green House’s first tenants to move in, and they have flourished ever since.

“Moving here is one of the best things that ever happened to me,” says Alexis. “I’ve never felt such stability and happiness as I do at Bedford Green House.”

With the help of Project Renewal’s mental health and occupational therapy programming, Alexis is working through past traumas. She enjoys participating in on-site art, music, and mindfulness groups. At Bedford Green House’s rooftop greenhouse and aquaponics farm, she grows vegetables and herbs that she uses to create healthy meals in her own kitchen.

As Cairo begins kindergarten, he is thriving. “He has his own bedroom, comes to the group activities with me, and can’t get enough of the playground in the front courtyard,” Alexis shares.

From Project Renewal’s case managers and therapists, to the building’s maintenance workers and fellow residents, Alexis and Cairo have built a strong community. Thanks to the stability of their home, Alexis is now able to pursue her goal of becoming a nurse. “Bedford Green House has changed my life.”

Bedford Green House Ribbon-Cutting

On July 14, we were joined by Mayor Adams to celebrate the opening of the first phase of Bedford Green House, our new supportive and affordable housing development in the Bronx. The LEED-certified building provides 117 units of housing to formerly homeless individuals, families impacted by mental health concerns and substance use disorder, people living with HIV, and low-income New Yorkers. 

It includes innovative design elements, amenities, and services that support residents’ health and long-term stability, including a rooftop greenhouse and aquaponics farm that allows residents to grow fresh vegetables year-round. Our multidisciplinary team provides wraparound, on-site services, including case management, occupational therapy, horticultural therapy, and entitlement support. 

Learn more about Bedford Green House from 6sqft, Affordable Housing Finance, CityLand, News 12 Bronx, PIX11 News, The City Life, and Univision. 

Read the full announcement from the Office of the Mayor:

MAYOR ADAMS, PROJECT RENEWAL OPEN 117 SUPPORTIVE, AFFORDABLE HOMES WITH AQUAPONICS FARMING IN THE BRONX 

Bedford Green House Is Home to New Yorkers Formerly Experiencing Homelessness,

Families Impacted by Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder, People Living With HIV/AIDS 

Phase II of Project Will Include Homes for Low-Income Seniors, Community Medical Clinic, Library, and Learning Center 

Project Follows Mayor Adams’ “Housing Our Neighbors” Blueprint to Get New Yorkers Into Safe, High-Quality, Affordable Homes

 NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and homeless services nonprofit Project Renewal, today opened the first phase of Bedford Green House — a project that will bring 117 affordable and supportive homes to the Bronx. The project includes 71 apartments set aside for New Yorkers who previously experienced homelessness, families impacted by mental illness and substance use disorder, and people living with HIV/AIDS; with the remaining 46 apartments for low-income households earning up to 60 percent of area median income. Project Renewal is providing on-site wraparound social services, including horticultural therapy utilizing the greenhouse and aquaponic urban farming system on the building’s roof. 

“Affordable housing, homelessness, public health, and our environment are all connected, and Project Renewal demonstrates the kind of creative thinking we need to tackle all of them together,” said Mayor Adams. “My administration is laser-focused, not on simply creating housing on paper but on getting New Yorkers into the safe, high-quality, affordable homes they deserve, while helping fight climate change and creating our own nutritious food. We are doing that today in the Bronx at Bedford Green House, and we will continue doing it all across the city”

 “Bedford Green House helps meet our city’s urgent need for supportive and affordable housing and embodies Project Renewal’s mission to empower individuals and families to renew their lives with health, homes, and jobs,” said Eric Rosenbaum, president and CEO, Project Renewal. “More than just an apartment building, Bedford Green House’s design and programming brings residents together, from children to seniors, around shared activities that support healthy living. As we celebrate the opening of this first phase, we look forward to the second phase, bringing more housing and services to more formerly homeless New Yorkers and the wider community.”

 Bedford Green House reflects the goals of Mayor Adams’ “Housing Our Neighbors” blueprint for getting New Yorkers into safe, high-quality, affordable homes. The first city housing plan to cover the entire spectrum of New Yorkers’ housing needs and options, the blueprint includes a commitment to accelerate the creation of supportive housing and complete the 15,000 supportive homes promised by 2030, two years ahead of schedule. 

Project Renewal’s multidisciplinary team will provide wraparound, on-site services, including case management, occupational therapy, horticultural therapy, and entitlements support. Later this year, construction will begin on a second phase with 116 additional apartments, nearly half of which will be reserved for low-income seniors; a 2,400-square-foot medical clinic; a gym; and The Molly B. Kronick Library and Learning Center for residents. The medical clinic in phase two will offer primary care, pediatrics, podiatry, digital radiology, and other health care services to the whole community. 

Integrated throughout the LEED-certified building are innovative design elements, amenities, and services that support residents’ health and long-term stability. A 1,500-square-foot rooftop greenhouse and aquaponics urban farming system allows residents to grow fresh vegetables year-round. A green exterior façade features plantings that will grow to cascade from the top floors to the ground, reducing the building’s energy use and removing airborne pollutants in a borough where children are hospitalized by asthma at a rate 21 times higher than more affluent areas of New York City. Bike storage and a playground encourage active lifestyles for all ages.

 “Bedford Green House is what climate and housing justice looks like,” said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “Project Renewal is giving low-income and formerly homeless New Yorkers a new outlook on life with the opening of Bedford Green House. This development is a model for housing New Yorkers with dignity, while providing the services needed to live healthy lives. Thanks to Project Renewal, our partners at the city and state, and the entire development team for making this innovative and sustainable project a reality.”

 “With critical on-site supportive services, sustainable design features, and a host of community-focused programming and amenities, Bedford Green House offers low-income and formerly homeless New Yorkers security, peace of mind, and a place to call home,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “I’d like to thank all of our partners and elected officials for their work to bring holistic solutions to support our city’s affordable housing needs at a time it’s needed more than ever.”  

 “This administration’s comprehensive plan for addressing homelessness and housing insecurity prioritizes the creation of supportive housing while also strengthening and expanding access to these critical opportunities for our most vulnerable communities,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Gary P. Jenkins. “We are making vital investments, implementing strategic reforms, and working tirelessly to support our low-income communities and New Yorkers experiencing homelessness in ways that position them for long-term housing stability. The Bedford Green House exemplifies the kind of innovation, sustainable models, and quality of services we envision as we continue to find more impactful ways to support New Yorkers in need, and we are grateful to our incredible partners for bringing this project to life.”

 Studies showing the mental and physical health benefits of exposure to the natural world inspired Bedford Green House’s design, including the interior green wall in the lobby and exterior living green facade. In addition to removing pollutants, the vines will reduce the building’s energy usage by absorbing solar radiation during the summer months. During winter months, the vines will shed their leaves and allow sunlight to warm the building. Meanwhile, Bedford Green House’s high-performance building envelope has continuous exterior insulation, which lowers energy usage and operating costs and significantly reduces its carbon footprint.

The aquaponics farming system in the rooftop greenhouse contains fish, vegetables, herbs, and micro greens growing in a symbiotic ecosystem. The fish live in large tanks connected to a bio-filter that breaks down fish waste and carries nutrients to the plant roots, while the plants clean the water for the fish. The space outside the greenhouse will be used for organic farming in planter boxes to grow vegetables that are less suited to aquaponics. Residents will work with Project Renewal’s horticultural therapist to grow their own food year-round, alongside their neighbors. Access to these green and light-filled spaces is especially beneficial during winter months when cold and darkness can contribute to depression.

Additionally, Bedford Green House creates an inviting streetscape through landscaping along the sidewalk frontage, seats at the setbacks, the playground, and public art that encourages residents and neighbors to engage with the building.

 Bedford Green House’s construction was financed by HDC, HPD and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance through their Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. Bank of America served as tax credit investor as well as providing the construction letter of credit. Additional grant funding was provided by the Harold and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation, TD Bank, and Deutsche Bank Foundation. Operating funding is provided by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and New York City Human Resources Administration. A pre-development loan was provided by the Corporation for Supportive Housing.

 “Addressing the challenges posed by serious mental illness or chronic disease can be daunting in the most stable of settings, but overwhelming for those who are unhoused,” said New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz. “Project Renewal’s Bedford Green House will provide individuals and families permanent housing and the supportive services they need to stabilize their lives and thrive in their community – all within an innovative and therapeutic setting. Like the many other projects funded through the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, this development will provide struggling New Yorkers with permanent housing and the opportunity to thrive in an independent setting.”

 “The Bedford Green House will provide low-income and vulnerable Bronxites including formerly homeless individuals, families impacted by mental illness and substance use disorders, and people with HIV/AIDS, with a much-needed affordable place to live," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “I want to thank Project Renewal, Mayor Adams’ administration, and all participating public and private partners for investing in a project that will increase the number of affordable and supportive housing units in my district while integrating access to healthy activities including a greenhouse and an innovative urban farming system.”

 “At a time in which housing insecurity is an all-time high, it is imperative that we provide affordable, permanent, and supportive housing to our most vulnerable residents.” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I want to applaud Mayor Eric Adams and Project Renewal for the opening of the first phase of Bedford Green House in the Bronx and for their commitment to decreasing homelessness in our borough. With on-site wraparound services, case management, occupational therapy, and other holistic amenities, this project will not only support our communities` physical needs but also their emotional and mental ones as well.”

"Today, I am proud to join the ribbon-cutting of Project Renewal's new development, Bedford Green House, which will provide 117 sustainable and affordable housing units in District 14,” said Council Member Pierina Sanchez. “Project Renewal has continuously supported vulnerable New Yorkers in the Bronx. This development will provide a range of onsite supportive social services and provide the community with year-round, environmentally conscious programming and resources. Housing is a human right, and every one of us deserves to live in a stable, healthy, clean home and environment. The Bedford Green House development is an example of investment in sustainable development in the Bronx while creating community spaces and programming.”

"CSH congratulates Project Renewal on the grand opening of Bedford Green House, realizing its beautiful vision for 117 safe, sustainable, affordable, and supportive homes where New Yorkers can thrive," says Jennifer Trepinski, director, loan originations, CSH. "These new homes are part of the city's efforts to recover from the pandemic and increase affordable and supportive housing inventories."

 "The rock on this site withstood the force of a glacier one mile thick that came from the north as far as the eye can see. We wanted to bring to the clients that live here that strength and resilience so that they too can thrive as a community in the face of the forces that our society throws at them," said Andrew B. Knox, FAIA. Partner, ESKW/Architects.

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Q&A: Latoya Thomas, Director of Social Services, Marsha’s House

Before Project Renewal opened Marsha’s House in 2017, LGBTQI+ young adults experiencing homelessness in New York City did not have a shelter tailored to their needs. Five years later, Marsha’s House is still New York City’s only shelter for LGBTQI+ young adults, ages 18 to 30. As Pride Month kicks off, we spoke with Latoya Thomas, Director of Social Services at Marsha’s House and a proud member of the LGBTQI+ community herself. 

What does Pride Month mean to the Marsha’s House community? 

Pride is such a big deal here. In addition to the fact that we serve the LGBTQI+ community, we are named for Marsha P. Johnson, whose activism at Stonewall helped launch the first Pride celebrations. Stonewall, as well as other events, were always a way for the LGBTQI+ community to express to everyone how to include us in the conversation. It’s so important and affirming to have events and ideas around Pride because Marsha was a pioneer. She was about trying to bring humanity to individuals that are super marginalized. She opened her home and her heart to people trying to find their way and I think that’s why it’s so important to have that Pride highlighted here at Marsha’s House. 

What does Marsha’s House have planned for Pride Month? 

We are helping clients attend Pride events throughout the city. We also have several different agencies who will come celebrate and provide services to our clients, including Montefiore Medical Center and other partners. Our job is to facilitate and orchestrate how our clients can navigate these support systems and enter the warm embrace of other service providers. By doing this, we’re giving them the tools they need to be able to utilize these resources when they are no longer residents at Marsha’s House, when they transition into their own housing, whether it be independent or supportive. 

What are some of the services that Marsha’s House staff provides to clients? 

If you look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, you know that shelter is everything, so that’s the most important thing we provide initially. Next, we offer access to mental health services. We know that a high propensity of our clients have mental health challenges or traumas, and Marsha’s House is one of the first places where they obtain a psychiatric diagnosis and get mental health treatment. We also offer vocational services and are always trying to keep our clients abreast of information and training that happens across the city. That’s where you can see clients blossom and begin to support themselves. 

What makes working at Marsha’s House so fulfilling for you? 

I’m proud of the work we do at Marsha’s House. For someone like me in the LGBTQI+ community, I didn’t have a place like Marsha’s House to come to when I needed it. I often think about how having resources and a space which is affirming and supportive could have helped me, and now my work can change the trajectory of someone else’s life. Because of that, when I come

into work every day, my mission is to be what I needed at the time and what other people in the community need now. Recently, we had a client move into permanent supportive housing which we helped them to secure. And now that they are in a supportive space, they haven’t returned to Marsha’s House, and they are thriving, and that makes me proud to be a part of this community.

Project Renewal Raises More Than $1.7 Million for Homeless Services and Supportive Housing at 31st Annual Benefit and Auction

Project Renewal raised more than $1.7 million at its annual Renewal For New York benefit and auction on May 11 at Manhattan’s Pier Sixty.

Hosted by Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary, the event honored Dr. Talya Schwartz, President and CEO of MetroPlusHealth, New York City’s quality and affordable health plan. Dr. Schwartz was recognized for her commitment to working in and with New York City communities to address the social determinants of health and closing the gap to access to care for all New Yorkers.

L to R: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary; Eric Rosenbaum, President and CEO of Project Renewal; Geoff Proulx, Chair of Project Renewal’s Board of Trustees; Dr. Talya Schwartz, President and CEO of MetroPlusHealth. – CREDIT: Ann Billingsley

James, who found lasting stability at Project Renewal’s Geffner House supportive housing program, spoke alongside Robin Kahan-Berman, Director of Occupational Therapy

Appointed President and CEO of MetroPlusHealth in 2019, Dr. Schwartz is an experienced health plan management and operations leader. During her tenure, MetroPlusHealth has achieved a 20% growth in membership, a five-star rating from New York State’s Consumer Guide, and overall net worth. Dr. Schwartz’s ongoing commitment to addressing the social determinants of health among New York City’s historically marginalized and underserved communities is the pinnacle of her leadership, actively ensuring that MetroPlusHealth remains at the forefront of supporting its members through holistic, field-based care.

“As New York City grapples with a homelessness crisis that has been exacerbated by the pandemic, Project Renewal’s front-line staff continues to deliver innovative health, homes, and jobs programs to our neighbors most in need. We are grateful to our benefit and auction attendees whose generous support will help us expand our important work, including the development of more critically needed supportive housing,” said Eric Rosenbaum, President and CEO of Project Renewal. “Project Renewal is proud to honor Dr. Schwartz, whose visionary leadership has made MetroPlusHealth our stalwart partner in providing holistic health care to thousands of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness each year.”

“It is a tremendous honor to accept the Community Leadership Award from Project Renewal, said Dr. Talya Schwartz, President and CEO of MetroPlusHealth. “At MetroPlusHealth, we are more than a health plan. For us, health is housing, and housing is health. In addition to addressing the physical and mental needs of our members, we believe that addressing their social determinants of health, such as housing, food insecurity, economic stability, and equitable access to quality, affordable health care, is essential to living healthy lives.”

Returning to an in-person format for the first time since 2019, Project Renewal’s 31st annual benefit and auction drew over 700 attendees who enjoyed cocktails, dinner, and a live auction presented by Lydia Fenet, Managing Director and Global Director of Strategic Partnerships at Christie’s. Project Renewal trustee Richard Kronick and Elizabeth Maruggio—both of Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel—chaired the festivities.

The event celebrated Project Renewal’s nine supportive housing programs which provide permanent homes and services to nearly 800 New Yorkers impacted by homelessness, mental illness, substance use disorder, and justice involvement. The program featured a video highlighting the story of an older adult named James who found lasting stability at Project Renewal’s Geffner House supportive housing program in Midtown West following a decades-long cycle of incarceration and homelessness.

Earlier this year in the Bronx, Project Renewal opened its newest affordable and supportive housing development, Bedford Green House, home to individuals and families leaving shelter and low-income tenants from the community. The LEED-certified building features on-site health and social services, and a rooftop green house and aquaponics farming system, among other amenities that support environmental and individual wellness. Construction will soon begin on the second phase of Bedford Green House, adding a medical clinic for the community, The Molly B. Kronick Library and Learning Center for residents, and more housing for a total of 234 units. Across all its programs, Project Renewal served more than 8,500 New Yorkers last year.

Many organizations generously sponsored the benefit and auction, including Morgan Stanley, GFP Real Estate, MetroPlusHealth, Arrow Security, Cushman & Wakefield, Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel, Architects, DPC, and SterlingRisk Insurance.

Give the Gift of Health This Holiday Season

This holiday season, Project Renewal’s supporters can help provide lifesaving health care to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness.

Homeless New Yorkers live an average of 20 years fewer than those who are housed. Chronic conditions, mental illness, trauma, and now COVID-19, take a severe toll—but the root of the problem is a lack of access to trusted, reliable health care.

Project Renewal’s mobile medical program meets patients where they are, delivering primary care to thousands of New Yorkers who would otherwise have to turn to crowded emergency rooms or go untreated. Five days a week, at more than a dozen locations throughout the city, our doctors and nurses earn the trust of the people we serve, so that they keep coming back.

Your support will helps deliver quality health care to those who need it most. Plus, Project Renewal’s generous Board of Trustees is matching donations, so your gift can double your impact. Learn more and donate here.

"A Second Chance at Life"

Childhood trauma led Andy down a path of substance use and incarceration. After his release from prison, he lost contact with his daughter, and experienced homelessness for four years.

Determined to make a change, Andy began his recovery journey in a residential treatment program, where he spent two and a half years. In early 2021, he was referred to Project Renewal’s Next Step workforce development program to help him secure a job.

Though the market was especially challenging due to COVID-19, Andy thrived in our virtual classes, developing his resume, honing his interview skills, and building job readiness.

With help from Next Step, he secured a role in maintenance at Project Renewal’s St. Nicholas House, and he has his sights set on becoming a substance use counselor. “Project Renewal gave me an opportunity when I really needed it,” he says, “And it was like a second chance at life.”

Job stability has given Andy the chance to reconnect with his daughter, who has been his north star. “I’m really proud because she is a great daughter,” he says. “She’s my motivation to keep going.”

Randy's Redemption

Growing up in Brooklyn, Randy was a promising student who planned on enrolling in college. But an untreated mental illness led to substance abuse, and he dropped out. Randy then spent many years in and out of prison while battling his addiction. He feared he would never break the vicious cycle of substance use and incarceration.

In 2009, Randy learned about Project Renewal’s Parole Support and Treatment Program (PSTP) as he was being released from prison.

PSTP is the only program to combine transitional housing with targeted support services for parolees with mental illness. PSTP provided Randy with an apartment, which gave him a safe place for a fresh start, and with psychological counseling from Project Renewal staff, he found stability for the first time in his adult life.

Randy credits Robert Blocker, PSTP Director, for guiding him through his recovery. “Project Renewal and Program Director Robert Blocker helped me in a way nobody had before,” he says.

Randy has lived with his partner in Brooklyn for over 10 years, and has a successful career in social services helping others —just like Project Renewal helped him.

Project Renewal's Veteran Supports Saved Steve's Life

Steve Palmer is a 59-year-old Marine Corps veteran who faced challenges adjusting to civilian life after leaving active duty. He struggled with substance use disorder and depression, and became homeless. He entered our Third Street shelter, where he participated in recovery services and received mental health support. He has been thriving in an apartment in our In Homes Now supportive housing for the past 17 years.

Steve shares his experience in this opinion piece in BKReader:

Veterans Support Services Saved My Life

By: Steve Palmer, Marine Corps Veteran

New York City has taken homelessness prevention for veterans seriously, and it shows. In 2015, New York became the largest city in the country to be certified by the federal government for effectively ending chronic veteran homelessness.

But support for the men and women who have served our country must not end with simply keeping them off the streets. Oftentimes, veterans have trouble adjusting to civilian life, struggling to find the stable housing, jobs, and health care they need to truly thrive. I would know, because I was one of those veterans.

I began serving in the Marine Corps at the age of 18. In six years of service, I achieved the rank of sergeant and received the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. But, due to a chronic leg condition, I was honorably discharged.

As a civilian for the first time since high school, I was depressed and directionless, feeling like I had lost the only job where I fit in. I started drinking and using drugs, and ended up homeless. I spent time in and out of psychiatric wards and lost touch with family and friends.

Fortunately, the City funds and partners with nonprofits that help veterans like me. I was able to connect with one such organization, Project Renewal, through a counselor at a drop-in center. I moved into Project Renewal’s Third Street Men’s Shelter, which was different from other shelters I had been to because it offered much more than just a place to sleep. Under the same roof, Project Renewal provided me with medical and mental health care, as well as substance use treatment at an on-site outpatient clinic. For those who are able to work, they provide job training, too.

I soon learned about one of Project Renewal’s permanent housing programs, called In Homes Now, which helps people live on their own in apartments throughout the city, with continued counseling and other support services. I was able to move into one of those apartments 17 years ago—and I have not looked back.

Today, I am drug-free and alcohol-free, living independently in an In Homes Now apartment in Brownsville, Brooklyn. I still talk to my psychiatrist every day, and I take comfort in the fact that expert help is always available, 24/7, if I need it. These services help me navigate life’s challenges and stay on my feet. I’m now at a place where I can give back to people who struggled like I once did. I’m active with my church ministry, doing outreach to homeless people, helping them find housing assistance, a hot meal, or even a simple haircut.

I hope that my story helps New Yorkers better understand the challenges that veterans face. While ending chronic veteran homelessness was a great achievement, we must continue to call on our city to fund proven programs, like Project Renewal’s, that address the complex needs of those of us who have sacrificed for our country,

There are still too many veterans struggling to get by. We need to make sure they can all access the kinds of services that saved my life.

Steve Palmer is a Marine Corp Veteran currently living in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

Job Training Helps Joyce Overcome Homelessness

Joyce was excelling in her UPS job and pursuing a social psychology degree—until she was struck by an SUV and badly injured. The accident left her unable to work. With bills and rent piling up, she was forced to drop her classes and she became homeless. Joyce was fiercely determined to get her life back. She learned about Project Renewal’s Next Step Internship Program (NSIP) and saw it as a path to a career and stability. NSIP provides unemployed New Yorkers with classroom and on-the-job training in homeless services work.

As an NSIP intern at our Ana’s Place shelter, Joyce thrived. When COVID hit she volunteered for extra shifts. Joyce’s coworkers admired her work ethic, and she was hired as a full-time Residential Aide. “My colleagues at Ana’s Place are so supportive,” she says. “It’s rewarding to work here and help people who are experiencing some of the same challenges that I’ve faced.”

During the pandemic, with unemployment surging, NSIP has created job opportunities for New Yorkers who need them the most. And the program continues to provide shelters with a vital source of well-trained frontline workers. Joyce has achieved many of her goals. She secured a job, paid off her credit card and medical bills, and saved money.

As a result of her stable employment, she recently moved into her own studio apartment. More than anything, she is proud to be able to support her adult daughter for the first time in several years. “It feels so good,” she says.

Project Renewal Statement in Support of Shams DaBaron

Project Renewal President & CEO Eric Rosenbaum issued the following statement in response to reports that private investigators working for Upper West Side shelter opponents stalked Ramone Buford (who also goes by Shams DaBaron), a Project Renewal client and former resident of the emergency shelter that we operate at The Lucerne Hotel.

“We are truly disheartened by this violation of Shams DaBaron’s privacy and dignity in his own home. Actions like this exacerbate the trauma that people who have experienced homelessness struggle with every day. DaBaron has been a tireless advocate, mobilizing support for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and helping to ensure that their voices are heard. This attempt to intimidate him shows that the true motives of the people who directed and paid for this action have nothing to do with helping homeless individuals achieve independence.”  

For more information about the emergency shelter program at The Lucerne Hotel, click here.

Good Neighbors, Good Work

At the direction of the City of New York, we have temporarily moved many of our clients from congregate shelters to hotel rooms to limit the coronavirus’ spread. We brought our comprehensive support services to these settings and, at one hotel, we created a brand-new program that is benefiting both the men we serve and the neighborhood.

Project Renewal’s Good Neighbors Program, launched in partnership with fellow nonprofit Goddard Riverside at The Lucerne Hotel, is a new way to engage clients in meaningful activities and contribute positively to the Upper West Side community.

Clients receive paid on-the-job sanitation training—sweeping sidewalks, bagging litter, and removing filled trash bags from corner receptacles. We proudly pay participants the full $15 minimum wage and provide vocational counseling toward permanent job placement.

So far, we have enrolled 25 clients with a waitlist of 14 who are eager to join. The program is a hit with our neighbors too. Several local groups, including block associations, have asked us to expand our services.

Joseph is making the most of his opportunity in the Project Renewal Good Neighbors Program. He worked in food service, which helped him maintain his sobriety, but he lost his job when COVID hit.

Living at The Lucerne, he was eager to find new work. The pandemic limited his job options, but when we started Good Neighbors in November, he was the first to sign up—and he has been an exemplary employee ever since.

“I’m grateful for this job because it keeps me busy and keeps my mind occupied,” says Joseph, who is also working with one of our vocational counselors to find longterm employment. “It makes me feel like a better person and it has helped me stabilize myself and find purpose.”

Project Renewal Frontline Hero Wins Battle With COVID

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Project Renewal’s frontline team has worked heroically around the clock to keep the New Yorkers we serve housed and healthy. While our strict safety protocols have helped limit infections among our staff, Jamel Robinson, a shift supervisor at our Fort Washington Men’s shelter, contracted COVID-19 in April, during the darkest days of the pandemic in New York City. He was bedridden in his apartment, unable to keep down food or water.

Jamel is back at work at our Fort Washington shelter after battling COVID

Two weeks in, Jamel’s condition took a turn for the worse. He could no longer even walk to the bathroom, and he was rushed to the hospital. Jamel had developed a COVID-related blood clot in his leg that might have proven fatal. He spent a month in the hospital recovering. 

Fortunately, as a part of our annual effort to sign our newer employees up for medical coverage, we had helped Jamel register for health insurance several weeks before his ordeal began. The benefits kicked in right when he entered the hospital, and all of his medical expenses were covered. 

Our staff kept in contact with Jamel throughout his hospital stay, texting him regularly and making sure he was getting proper medical treatment. Now, Jamel is back at Fort Washington, and fully recovered. He’s working to keep shelter residents safe and healthy during the pandemic. 

“For me to still be alive is a blessing,” Jamel says. “I want to get my story out, to raise awareness among all those I work with, and everyone else out there, of how serious this virus is.”

Throughout the pandemic, Project Renewal has remained committed to the wellbeing of our staff. In addition to implementing measures to protect their physical health, we offer our team  regular mental health sessions to ensure they are supported as they continue their courageous and lifesaving work. 

Lasawn Finds Stability and Purpose with Project Renewal

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Lasawn lost her job. 

She worried about how she would care for her elderly father, who lives with her in the Bronx. He suffered two strokes just before the pandemic began, and needed support. 

As Lasawn struggled to find a new job, she began to fear she and her father might lose the roof over their heads. She felt helpless. 

Then, Lasawn heard about our Next Step program, which provides individualized education and employment services to low-income and homeless adults. Her Next Step counselor helped her find a job with City Beet Kitchens, our social purpose catering company that provides thousands of meals every day to residents of shelters and transitional housing across New York City.

Lasawn prepares meals for New Yorkers in need at City Beet Kitchens

Lasawn’s job provided her with stability during this tough time. Thanks to her new job, she can keep herself and her father housed, while giving back. 

“It's fulfilling for me to be able to help those in need,” she says. “It's so important for us to look out for the less fortunate among us, especially now."

To support Project Renewal’s programs that employ New Yorkers like Lasawn, click here. 

Project Renewal Launches Campaign to Feed and Employ Homeless New Yorkers During the Pandemic

This holiday season, Project Renewal has launched a fundraising campaign to feed and employ homeless and low-income New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased food insecurity, hitting already-vulnerable communities the hardest. Unemployment has also skyrocketed, reaching levels not seen since the Great Depression.

Project Renewals social-purpose catering company, City Beet Kitchens, has stepped up to meet the growing demand. We've more than doubled our reach to provide over 7,300 nutritious meals every day to residents of shelters and transitional housing across New York City.

Project Renewal also creates jobs—and livelihoods—for New Yorkers in need. Next year, we aim to enroll 100 formerly homeless or incarcerated adults in our award-winning culinary arts program. And, we will hire many of our graduates, adding to our staff of 90 full-time chefs, food service workers, and delivery drivers.

Your support will help us provide warm meals, culinary training, and stable jobs during the pandemic and beyond. 

Our generous Board of Trustees is matching every donation. Learn more and donate to the campaign here.

Workforce Programs Offer Hope in COVID-19 Economy

Rebecka at Project Renewal’s Ana’s Place Shelter

As our city continues to reopen, Project Renewal’s suite of workforce development programs are providing employment opportunities for New Yorkers in need—and helping our economy get back on track.

Our workforce programs have placed 190 people in jobs since mid-March, even while shifting to remote support and facing a tough economy. Many of the placements have been essential to keeping our city going, in fields like maintenance, package handling, and food delivery.

Participants are eager to support our city and themselves—60% of those who enroll have personally experienced homelessness.

Our Next Step Internship Program (NSIP), which provides on-the-job training in homeless shelter work, has been especially important during the COVID-19 crisis. NSIP connects out-of-work adults to essential jobs and produces well-trained graduates to serve homeless New Yorkers and keep them safe from the virus.

After building a successful career in insurance and IT, Rebecka ended up in an abusive relationship. She began using drugs and served time in prison. Upon her release, she was referred to NSIP—and has thrived ever since.

She interned at our Ana’s Place shelter and was quickly offered a job. “Project Renewal made me feel like there was hope again,” she recalls. After a year, she secured a new position as a Resident Advisor for young women at a youth shelter.

Once the pandemic hit, our team maintained contact with Rebecka to ensure she remained employed. We are also helping her explore online higher education options so she can continue to advance her career in social services.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Rebecka feels hopeful about her future. “I love my job,” she says. “I love supporting young people and making a difference, especially during these tough times.”

Project Renewal recognizes Juneteenth

Today is Juneteenth, the oldest regular US celebration of the end of slavery. It commemorates June 19, 1865, when slaves in Galveston, Texas were told of their freedom—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Juneteenth is still not recognized as a federal holiday, and it has often been overlooked by non-Black Americans.

Project Renewal commends the Black New Yorkers and those who have stood with them to make their voices heard over the past several weeks. Our city has had enough of police brutality, and the structural racism that continues to plague every area of our society.

We recognize that racism is insidious, even in organizations committed to equity and justice. We are dedicated to embracing and integrating our commitment to anti-racism throughout the culture of Project Renewal.

Learn more about Juneteenth from this Vox article.

3rd Street Beat Newsletter on Black Lives Matter

"I realize that there is so much more work to do beyond putting down a drink, getting a place to live, and paying taxes. I have to do my part to change the world of systemic poverty, oppression and racism that has negatively affected my life," says Sham, one of the contributors to this month's “3rd Street Beat.”

The newsletter is produced by clients at our Recovery Center, offering a creative outlet and platform for self-expression. Check out the full issue, which focuses on the Black Lives Matter movement, and past issues of the newsletter here.

A statement from Project Renewal on the killing of George Floyd

We acknowledge and mourn another horrific act of irreversible violence committed against a Black person by the police—the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Heartbreakingly, Mr. Floyd has now been added to a long list of police killings of Black people. These tragedies are devastating and shameful, and those responsible must be held accountable.

These acts of racial violence are unjust, unacceptable, and painful. Our sorrow is further deepened by the fact that we know so many in our community are deeply affected by systemic racism. Throughout Project Renewal’s 53-year history, we have seen homelessness and poverty disproportionately impact the Black community. As an organization, we are committed to fighting systemic racial injustice and its many manifestations in housing, healthcare, and employment disparities. 

Project Renewal stands with you and is working to be part of the solution. We are grateful to our staff, volunteers, Board of Trustees, Junior Board, and supporters for their dedication to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness—and to creating a just future for our city.

COVID-19 Q&A: Doug Warn, LCSW-R, Director of Clinical Practice

What are some of the mental health challenges that Project Renewal staff members are facing during COVID-19?

Project Renewal has staff on the front lines in every program area. From doctors, to case workers, to maintenance, they are dedicated heroes who are showing up to work every day despite personal risk. We are committed to providing mental health support for our team to help them get through this crisis.

Unsurprisingly, some of the common issues people are reporting include anxious and depressive thoughts. I provide resources to help redirect that energy into self-nourishing activities. 

What are you doing to help team members cope?

Our case conference meetings are educational seminars focused on helping staff on the front lines address what the clients are dealing with, and how to best manage their interactions with clients during this time of increased stress. 

Secondly, in our self-care seminars, we are helping staff identify signs that they may be burning out, and provide tools for coping. The guidance is provided within a crisis and trauma framework, and we help them bring themselves to calm. This is an overwhelming time, and the group seminars validate and normalize the experiences of our team members, reminding them that they are not alone. 

How often are you hosting the seminars?

Since the middle of March, I have been hosting the self-care seminars twice a week, with about 25 to 30 people participating in each session. When people are acutely stressed, it’s harder to process information, so I encourage folks to attend more than once if they can. We also schedule the seminars at varying times to fit a range of schedules. For example, by hosting some sessions at the end of the week, our staff gain tools they can use over the weekend as they recuperate and recover. 

What are some examples of the tools you’re providing?

We provide exercises to help participants de-stress. For example, one intervention is called “5-4-3-2-1.” You take a deep breath and exhale to a count to six, which slows the heart rate down. Then you look around the room and name five things you see, followed by another breath and release. Then you name four things you are touching, three things you hear, two things you smell, and one thing you taste. The exercise encourages people to engage each of their five senses in higher levels of attentiveness and concentration in order to redirect attention away from anxious thoughts.  

While our support for our staff doesn’t change the fact that these are exceptionally stressful times, we hope it will make the work feel more manageable and mitigate some of the long-term mental health implications of this traumatic time. 

About Douglas J. Warn, Director of Clinical Practice
Douglas J. Warn, LCSW-R, is Project Renewal's Director of Clinical Practice and has been with the agency since 2002. He has previously served as the agency's Director of Outpatient Addiction Services. In addition to his work with Project Renewal, he has been an adjunct lecturer at the Columbia School of Social Work. He is also a psychotherapist in private practice, specializing in the treatment of addictions and complex trauma.

COVID-19 Q&A: Barbara Hughes, Executive Director, City Beet Kitchens

How is Project Renewal’s food service program helping during the pandemic?

We’re feeding New Yorkers in need. We deliver daily meals to 31 nonprofit sites, including shelters and drop-in centers. Our impact is two-fold—we’re employing nearly 80 essential workers across our food programs, and we are providing healthy meals to vulnerable New Yorkers at a time when it’s more important than ever for people to have regular access to nutritious food. 

Have you been able to meet the increased demand for meals?

Due to the state of the economy, our nonprofit catering clients are seeing an increase in demand for meals. Several have increased their orders, so we’ve expanded our service by 275 meals a day since the end of March. We are serving about 5,000 meals a day. I’m really proud that we haven't experienced any disruption to our service. We’ve even added three new clients to our roster. It’s a testament to our team’s dedication to feeding New Yorkers in need.

Barbara Hughes, Executive Director of Project Renewal’s City Beet Kitchens

Project Renewal’s social enterprise catering company, City Beet Kitchens, also caters events. How has that part of the business changed? 

Event catering has changed dramatically. All of the events we had lined up for March, April, and May have been cancelled. But Charmaine Landicho Baechle, our Director of Events, has been adapting diligently and creatively. She launched Grateful Giving, an initiative where Project Renewal Board of Trustees and Junior Board members can donate our meals to health care workers at local hospitals like Mount Sinai and Weill Cornell.

As our city begins to open back up, we will continue to assess how we can pivot. In addition to coming to us for excellent service and delicious food, we hope people who are seeking catering will be drawn to our mission to employ New Yorkers who have experienced homelessness, incarceration, substance use disorder, and other challenges. Providing employment opportunities for low-income New Yorkers is more important than ever in our current economy, and we think that will resonate with customers. 

How is your team responding?

The commitment of our team is inspiring. They wake up early and travel to our Industry City kitchen to do their jobs and feed people in need. We count our blessings—we still have jobs as essential workers, and we have a fantastic support system from Project Renewal leadership and the Board of Trustees. Many of our team members have been through immense challenges in life, from poverty to homelessness. They are very resilient and are motivated to get through this. 

Beyond that, we’re working hard to stay up-to-date on the food world, including best practices and strategies for getting through this crisis. We are part of Catalyst Kitchens, a network of social enterprise businesses, and they have been great about sharing resources. As our industry evolves, we want to be sure we have our finger on the pulse and can adapt as needed.

Project Renewal’s Culinary Arts Training Program (CATP) prepares low-income New Yorkers for careers in the culinary field— how has that program adapted? 

Our new class of CATP students was starting just as our city was shutting down, so we had to adjust quickly. John DeSimone, our lead CATP instructor, quickly set up daily live video classes using Zoom in tandem with Google Classrooms to create an immersive experience. He does cooking demonstrations and students submit videos of their own work for review. We have been pleased with the level of engagement from students and are striving to give them an experience that is as close to our regular classroom as possible.

How can people support your work?

We need all the help we can get, and we are so grateful that donors and supporters have stepped up at every level. Individuals can donate to Project Renewal or consider using us for events as restrictions are lifted. As corporations open back up, we would also love to help with their catering needs. We have been fortunate to receive grants and foundation support, including a generous donation from the Anahata Foundation to help feed vulnerable community members. We are grateful to the New York City Council, including Speaker Johnson, Council Member Deutsch, Council Member Cornegy, Council Member Powers, Council Member Levin, and Council Member Rivera, who have been incredibly supportive of our programming, and we hope they can continue to provide funding even during these difficult times.

About Barbara Hughes, Executive Director of City Beet Kitchens Ms. Hughes has been with Project Renewal since 1992, serving first as an instructor for the award-winning Culinary Arts Training Program. She later moved on to help launch Comfort Foods Catering in 1997 (now rebranded City Beet Kitchens), a social enterprise catering company employing formerly homeless individuals and preparing foods for both shelters and other organizations across the city. Ms. Hughes has more than 30 years of experience in the New York City restaurant industry and has spent much of her life as an activist for the HIV/AIDS community. She is currently the President of the Board of the Treatment Action Group, an independent AIDS research and policy think tank. Ms. Hughes earned a BA in Music from Chester State College.