Community Resource Center responds to the COVID-19 Crisis and its aftermath
Community Resource Center typically serves nearly 4,000 low-income and immigrant residents throughout Westchester County and is currently STILL overwhelmed by urgent calls from individuals who have lost jobs, housing, access to health care, counseling, and other vital services. Typically, we connect our communities to the resources that will help them to ultimately thrive and become economically stable. Currently, we are connecting these same communities to the resources that will enable them to simply SURVIVE.
Our client base is predominantly Latino and as such is vulnerable to being the hardest hit by COVID-19 as issues such as language barriers and fear of ICE reprisals drive their avoidance of public assistance. We have a 23-year history with our community and have become a respected resource to other local organizations, as well as a dependable and trusted resource to the neediest residents of Westchester County. We are whom they turn to in times of crisis.
The global pandemic has impacted millions. Disproportionately it has affected low-income folks, people of color, and immigrants. Community Resource Center has partnered with local community organizations to response to the urgent need for food, medical supports, and rental assistance. We honored the Coalition for Community at our annual gala this year. Learn more about what we did together in the video below.
Rental Assistance/Eviction Prevention Program
But our work is far from over. Our community clients are still facing limited work opportunities, alarming COVID-19 rates, and rental arrears that could leave them displaced or homeless and facing further trauma--even with a moratorium extension. CRC is responding to this looming eviction crisis in the following ways:
1. Addressing the Lack of Affordable Housing Locally - we are a member of the Mamaroneck Coalition for Afffordable Housing a group of Larchmont-Mamaroneck community members who are advocates of affordable housing and support vulnerable populations in finding and remaining in safe and affordable housing. To join this coalition, click the housing post below.
2. Eviction Prevention Funds - partnering with Hudson Valley Justice Center and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP to respond to the housing crisis need. We are collectively working with both landlords and residents to work out compromises to support landlords needs and keep roofs over the heads of at-risk residents. This effort includes providing volunteer legal advice, negotiations between parties and funds.
This initiative has been supported by local individual donors and local houses of worship and community organizations:
Larchmont Avenue Church
Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club
Larchmont Temple
St. John's Episopal Church
Westchester Jewish Center
We have a $200,000 goal to help 63 local families in need as assessed by our team of Case Managers and Eviction Prevention Specialist. We are currently at $161,612. HELP US REACH OUR GOAL!
3. Westchester Right to Counsel (RTC) - CRC is an active member on the Westchester’s Right to Counsel Coalition, which has been created to to help low-income tenants facing eviction. Similar programs have already been established in cities across the country including NYC, Cleveland and Minneapolis. The RTC Coalition is asking county residents to email their local county legislator and urge them to:
On behalf of our board and staff, we are grateful for your support our organization’s efforts to provide our community with the culturally competent support that will help them get through this disaster, and to prepare them for life after.
Community Resource Center typically serves nearly 4,000 low-income and immigrant residents throughout Westchester County and is currently STILL overwhelmed by urgent calls from individuals who have lost jobs, housing, access to health care, counseling, and other vital services. Typically, we connect our communities to the resources that will help them to ultimately thrive and become economically stable. Currently, we are connecting these same communities to the resources that will enable them to simply SURVIVE.
Our client base is predominantly Latino and as such is vulnerable to being the hardest hit by COVID-19 as issues such as language barriers and fear of ICE reprisals drive their avoidance of public assistance. We have a 23-year history with our community and have become a respected resource to other local organizations, as well as a dependable and trusted resource to the neediest residents of Westchester County. We are whom they turn to in times of crisis.
The global pandemic has impacted millions. Disproportionately it has affected low-income folks, people of color, and immigrants. Community Resource Center has partnered with local community organizations to response to the urgent need for food, medical supports, and rental assistance. We honored the Coalition for Community at our annual gala this year. Learn more about what we did together in the video below.
Rental Assistance/Eviction Prevention Program
But our work is far from over. Our community clients are still facing limited work opportunities, alarming COVID-19 rates, and rental arrears that could leave them displaced or homeless and facing further trauma--even with a moratorium extension. CRC is responding to this looming eviction crisis in the following ways:
1. Addressing the Lack of Affordable Housing Locally - we are a member of the Mamaroneck Coalition for Afffordable Housing a group of Larchmont-Mamaroneck community members who are advocates of affordable housing and support vulnerable populations in finding and remaining in safe and affordable housing. To join this coalition, click the housing post below.
2. Eviction Prevention Funds - partnering with Hudson Valley Justice Center and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP to respond to the housing crisis need. We are collectively working with both landlords and residents to work out compromises to support landlords needs and keep roofs over the heads of at-risk residents. This effort includes providing volunteer legal advice, negotiations between parties and funds.
This initiative has been supported by local individual donors and local houses of worship and community organizations:
Larchmont Avenue Church
Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club
Larchmont Temple
St. John's Episopal Church
Westchester Jewish Center
We have a $200,000 goal to help 63 local families in need as assessed by our team of Case Managers and Eviction Prevention Specialist. We are currently at $161,612. HELP US REACH OUR GOAL!
3. Westchester Right to Counsel (RTC) - CRC is an active member on the Westchester’s Right to Counsel Coalition, which has been created to to help low-income tenants facing eviction. Similar programs have already been established in cities across the country including NYC, Cleveland and Minneapolis. The RTC Coalition is asking county residents to email their local county legislator and urge them to:
- Expand emergency access to legal services as part oftheir immediate response to the current eviction crisis
- Fund a cost-benefit study proposed by nationalconsultants Stout Risius Ross to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of implementing the right to counselcountywide for approximately $55,000. (Each family thatenters emergency housing here costs $39,000 per year).
On behalf of our board and staff, we are grateful for your support our organization’s efforts to provide our community with the culturally competent support that will help them get through this disaster, and to prepare them for life after.
Learn more about how CRC responded to the pandemic and the challenges our community faces today.
Video credit: Philippa Wharton
https://philippawhartonproduction.com/
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PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
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Over our 22 years in existence, we have grown from a community initiative and referral organization to one that provides comprehensive direct client services and programs. We provide a myriad of educational programs, case management and referral services and advocate for immigrants and low-income families in need. The good news is we have a plan. But we need your help to get the job done.
134 Center Avenue
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
914-835-1512 | 914-630-7022
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
914-835-1512 | 914-630-7022