Greetings from the Starr,
We wanted to let folks know how we are and what we’re planning while we’re all collectively grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.
First, we were all pained to have closed Jillian Walker’s SKiNFoLK: An American Show early. Jillian’s work was touching so many people’s hearts and minds, and it feels like a travesty to have had to close it early after a NYT Critic’s Pick and the announcement of an extension week. We were very proud to have partnered for the first time with National Black Theatre and Musical Theatre Factory who’s support we deeply appreciate. Jillian, thank you for working with us to make SKiNFoLK. We won’t soon forget its power.
As for our staff, we are all working from home now and we’re figuring out how to continue our work and plans even as we don’t truly know what the near future holds. The programs and classes with our partners are all on pause as the senior centers and schools close their doors, and the rest of the season seems on hold until we can determine when we will all be venturing back out of our homes. But we ARE continuing to work and respond to the immediate needs of our artists and our staff so that we will be ready to open our doors WIDE as soon as we can. We have committed to continuing to pay our staff and all of our artists, teachers, and crew through the month of April (at least) in spite of programs being shut down. It's important to support and care for each other during this unprecedented time.
To that end, we acknowledge that there’s a lot of need and uncertainty out there, but if you’d like to give us some support, contributions of any size will help sustain our small operation for now, and strengthen us for our return to regular programming. You can donate here.
In the meantime…
As our beloved Big Green Theater program has abruptly ended due to COVID-19, The Bushwick Starr and Superhero Clubhouse remain unwaveringly dedicated to our students and the family, friends, and staff of Big Green Theater. In an effort to ensure that our BGT community feels equipped and supported during this unstable time, we have compiled this list of organizations that offer a variety of vital public services.
HELPFUL ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL RESOURCES IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
BUSHWICK:
MAKE THE ROAD
301 Grove St, Brooklyn, NY 11237 (As well as several other locations throughout NYC)
718-418-7690
Make the Road New York builds the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice. Legal and Survival Services to tackle discrimination, abuse and poverty. Transformative Education to develop community members’ abilities to lead our organization, our movement, and society. Community Organizing to transform the systems and power structures impacting our communities. Policy Innovation to rewrite unjust rules and make our democracy truly accountable to all of us.
SERVICES OFFERED:
EDUCATION: Adult Ed. ESL, Citizenship Preparation, Community Health Worker Training, Computer and Financial Literacy, Youth Training and College Access.
HEALTH SERVICES: Health Insurance Enrollment Assistane, Health Care Navigation & Access, TGNCIQ (transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex, and queer) Health Advocacy, Medical Debt Reduction Assistance, Nutrition Support and Food Pantry, Peer Health Coaching & Illness Management, Referrals for Rapid HIV Testing, SNAP (Food Benefit) Enrollment Assistance
LEGAL SERVICES: Housing, Public Benefits, Employment & Workplace Justice, Immigration & Action NYC, Civil Rights/TGNCIQ Justice, Family Law
PUERTO RICAN FAMILY INSTITUTE
358 Grove St, #1 Brooklyn, NY 11237 (As well as several other locations throughout NYC)
718-387-5200
The Puerto Rican Family Institute is a non-for-profit, multi-program, family-oriented health and human services agency, that provides culturally sensitive services to children, adults, and families in all of New York Communities. We also provide services in Puerto Rico.
SERVICES OFFERED:
Counseling/Mental Health Services
Home Based Crisis Intervention Program
Head Start Programs
Health Homes Program
PRFI Residential Programs
Child Placement Prevention Programs
NEW YORK CITY
HETRICK MARTIN INSTITUTE
2 Astor Place, New York, NY 10003
212-674-2400
At the Hetrick-Martin Institute we believe all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential. Hetrick-Martin creates this environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth between the ages of 13 and 24 and their families. Through a comprehensive package of direct services and referrals, Hetrick-Martin seeks to foster healthy youth development. Hetrick-Martin’s staff promotes excellence in the delivery of youth services and uses its expertise to create innovative programs that other organizations may use as models.
SERVICES OFFERED:
Programs:
Arts and Culture
Health and Wellness
Academic Enrichment
Job Readiness
Services:
Counseling and Case Management
Onsite Pantry
Café HMI
Outreach Homeless Services
Referrals to External Services
Special Events:
LGBTQ Youth Summits (in each NYC borough)
Youth Pridefest
KiKi Coalition Events
Pride Prom
Saturday Night Lights Tournaments & Events
CORONA COURIERS
A collective of cyclists willing to courier supplies to people in need for free, using low contact methods.
Email: coronacourier@protonmail.com
INVISIBLE HANDS DELIVERY
732-639-1579
Grocery and supply delivery; delivery is free
https://www.invisiblehandsdeliver.com/
HEIGHTS AND HILLS
718-596-8789
A volunteer service supporting home-bound seniors
https://www.heightsandhills.org/
NYC Mutual Aid Network
Is a network of groups organizing to provide aid and support in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are everyday New Yorkers working to lift up local organizing, connect people to resources, and build a citywide movement to address this crisis. Our members include parents, elders, immigrants, people with disabilities and chronic illness, caregivers, care workers, organizers, advocates, and anyone else who wants to get involved.
We are building interdependence through mutual aid. This means we can at the same time be someone who needs care and support as well as who can show up for others. http://mutualaid.nyc/
ONLINE ONLY BASED RESOURCES:
NYC United Against Coronavirus MASTER DOC
NYC Mutual AID Network - Google document.
Neighbor Support Network NYC
NYC Mutual Aid Volunteers List: This is a place to offer support for other New Yorkers in and beyond your neighborhood. Go to #3 to set up a neighborhood-specific pod, or find one that exists.
Requests for Support (NYC Mutual Aid Intake Form)
This is a place to ask for what you need, and share some ideas for what we can do to support you and your community. There is no ask that is too big, though we may not be able to match everything asked.
Adaptable Neighborhood Outreach Flyer by Mayday Space
Tenant Rights Hotline
Hotline will remain OPEN with new expanded hours!
212-979-0611
Mon & Wed 1:30-8pm
Tue 5:30-8pm (NEW)
Fri 1:30-5pm
Home looking for something to do? We need more volunteers!
Food Bank 4 NYC - Needs Volunteers & $$$
NYC Dyke Bar Takeover Direct Action Emergency Fund for Gig Workers
Service Workers Coalition NY - Needs Volunteers & $$$