Outreach Opportunities
Although electricity has returned to much of the city and the subways are (slowly) coming back to life, many areas are still dealing with damage from Superstorm Sandy. Residents of the Rockaways, Staten Island, New Jersey and other areas have found themselves temporarily homeless. Closer to campus, the Lower East Side is still recovering from nearly a week without power. That means tens of thousands across our region need donations and volunteer assistance.
“Community engagement has always been a bedrock value of The New School—and now, our immediate community needs our time, expertise and care,” said Linda Reimer, senior vice president for student services.
There are as many opportunities to lend a hand as there are New Yorkers. The website of the grassroots action group Occupy Sandy lists downtown organizations including the Bowery Mission, GOLES, and Nazareth Housing. All sites are accepting donations—specifically blankets, winter wear, flashlights, water, food, and cleaning supplies—and the Bowery Mission welcomes volunteers. For artists and supporters, the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) has a dedicated site listing resources to help artists affected by the storm with supplies and conservation of damaged work.
In addition, broader service organizations like the UJA, the Red Cross, and New York Cares have all issued calls for donations and volunteers. For a full list of opportunities and organizations, visit WNYC’s volunteering page.