1. EXTREME HEAT ADVISORY
2. CITYWIDE INSIDE CITYWIDE COOLING CENTERS
3. LOWER EAST SIDE LOCATED COOLING CENTERS
4. OUTSIDE NYC PARKS “COOL IT”
5. FREE COVID 19 AND ANTIBODY TESTING
6. FOOD PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS
7. NYS COVID RENT RELIEF PROGRAM
8. HOUSING AND HOMELESS PROVISIONS in the HEROS ACT
9. CENSUS
10. RESOURCES

1. NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADVISE NEW YORKERS TO PREPARE FOR EXTREME HEAT

Heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Despite this, around 618 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year. This website provides helpful tips, information, and resources to help you stay safe in the extreme heat this summer.

What is Extreme Heat?

Extreme heat is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Because some places are hotter than others, this depends on what’s considered average for a particular location at that time of year. Humid and muggy conditions can make it seem hotter than it really is.

What Causes Heat-Related Illness?

Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself. While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might not be enough. In these cases, a person’s body temperature rises faster than it can cool itself down. This can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs.

Some factors that might increase your risk of developing a heat-related illness include:

• High levels of humidity
• Obesity
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Prescription drug use
• Heart disease
• Mental illness
• Poor circulation
• Sunburn
• Alcohol use

Who is Most at Risk?

Older adults, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at highest risk. However, even young and healthy people can be affected if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.

Summertime activity, whether on the playing field or the construction site, must be balanced with actions that help the body cool itself to prevent heat-related illness. Use this website to learn more on how to stay safe in the heat this summer, including how to prevent, recognize, and cope with heat-related illness.

• CITYWIDE INSIDE PUBLIC COOLING CENTER FINDER

https://maps.nyc.gov/cooling-center/

• LOWER EAST SIDE LOCATED COOLING CENTERS

• PS 61, 610 E 12 St (B&C)
• Grand Coalition of Seniors NSC – SENIORS ONLY, 80 Pitt St (at Rivington St)
• M.S. 131, 100 Hester St (Eldridge & Chrystie)
• Marta Valle High School, 145 Stanton St (Suffolk & Norfolk)
• P.S. 134 Henrietta Szold, 293 East Broadway
• P.S. 124 Yung Wing, 40 Division St (Market & Bowery)

• OUTSIDE NYC PARKS “COOL IT”

https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/health-and-safety-guide/cool-it-nyc

• Water Fountains
• Spray Showers
• Tree Cover

• FREE COVID 19 AND ANTIBODY TESTING

CITYWIDE

Test & Trace Corps – Testing

MANHATTAN

COVID-19 Testing Sites

      6. FOOD PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS

            *Please call in advance to confirm hours/days

Father’s Heart Ministries (pantry and soup kitchen)

545 East 11th Street

212-375-1765

Saturdays 8:30AM to 11AM

The Meatloaf Kitchen (soup kitchen)

137 2nd Street

(347) 850-2230

Doing breakfast from 9am to 11am and lunch from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. (3/20)

St. Joseph House (soup kitchen)

36 East 1st Street

(212) 254-1640

Soup kitchen: Monday – Friday: 9:30am – 11:00 am.

Trinity Church Lower East Side (soup kitchen and food pantry)

602 East 9th Street

(212) 228-5254

Mondays through Fridays 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (soup kitchen)

Monday – Friday 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (Food Pantry) – Appointment Needed

Temple Soup Kitchen

33 East 12th Street

(212) 674-2340

Saturdays from 2:30 pm and 4:00pm

The Bowery Mission (soup kitchen)

227 Bowery

(212) 674-3456

Serving meals 3 times a day. To-go breakfast 9 to 10am, lunch 1 to 2pm and, dinner 6-7pm

Nazareth Housing (food pantry)

206 East 4th St. (blue door)

212-777-1010

Tuesdays at 10AM

Most Holy Redeemer Church (Food pantry)

173 E 3rd St

(212) 673-4224

Every other Wednesday 10a to 11a

Dewitt Church (food pantry)

280 Rivington St

(212) 674-3341

Mondays and Thursdays 10:00am – 1:00pm

Interfaith Church

325 East 5th St

(352) 213-9020

Middle Collegiate Church (Food pantry and soup kitchen)

50 E 7th Street

(212) 477-0666

Wednesdays 8am to 9:30am (pantry)

Primitive Christian Church (Food Pantry)

207-209 East Broadway

(212)673-7868

Last Thursday of the month 1:30 to 3:30PM

Hetrick Martin (Food Pantry)

2 Astor Place

(212) 674-2400

HMI’s Food distribution:  will be from 1 pm – 3 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays, HMI will distribute food bags (and other essentials) to youth who stop by

• NYS COVID RENT RELIEF PROGRAM

https://hcr.ny.gov/RRP

Overview & Eligibility

The COVID Rent Relief Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. The Covid Rent Relief Program is not first come, first served. Applications will be accepted throughout the two-week application period. HCR will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need” accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost and risk of homelessness.

The rental assistance payment will cover the difference between the household’s rent burden on March 1, 2020 and the increase in rent burden for the months the households is applying for assistance. Households can apply for up to four months in rental assistance.

Eligible households must meet the following criteria:

• Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, household income must have been below 80% of the area median income, adjusted for household size. You can find your county’s area median income, based on your household size: www.hcr.ny.gov/eligible-income-limits-80-ami-county
• Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, the household must have been paying more than 30% of gross monthly income towards rent.  Gross income includes wages as well as any cash grants, child support, social security, unemployment benefits, etc.) 
• Applicants must have lost income during the period of April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020.
• See our FAQs below for more information.

To apply see the application section of this page below.

HCR has created a dedicated call center to provide residents with help Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Call the COVID Rent Relief Program Call Center at 1-833-499-0318 or email at covidrentrelief@hcr.ny.gov

• HOUSING AND HOMELESS PROVISIONS in the HEROS ACT

https://nlihc.org/resource/overview-housing-and-homeless-provisions-heroes-act

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) released the HEROES Act. The $3 trillion bill proposes almost $200 billion in additional funding for housing and homelessness programs to help communities respond to the coronavirus crisis.

• CENSUS – PLEASE FILL IT OUT!

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/census/index.page

The 2020 Census is here — and it will shape New York City’s future for years to come. Once every ten years, the United States Census takes a count of every person in the United States. The taking of the census is mandated by the United States Constitution and has occurred every 10 years since 1790. But the census is so much more than just a count. Census information is used to determine New York City’s fair share of billions of dollars in federal funds for public education, affordable housing, infrastructure, and more — as well as the number of seats we have in Congress. Because so much is at stake, it’s critical that New Yorkers stand up and be counted in the 2020 Census.In the 2010 Census, the city’s self-response rate was less than 62%, compared to the national average of 76%. We need every New Yorker to get involved to ensure that their community is counted next year.

1. RESOURCES

LES READY!

Please let us know if your organization is in need of gloves, masks, gowns or have other needs. Contact us at lesready.covid19@gmail.com

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/about/press-releases/20200718_pr_nycem_advises-new-yorkers-to-prepare-for-extreme-heat.page

NYC DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & MENTAL HYGIENE

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page

In January, LES Ready! was pleased to welcome a group of grassroots organizations from across New York City who discussed the critical work they are doing in local communities to prepare for manmade and natural disasters. January 2020. The presenters were:

Wali Abdun-Noor
South Bronx Emergency Network

Alberto Pimentel
Huntspoint/Longwood Community Coalition

Carol Johnson
East Harlem Emergency Network

Richard Johnson
Staten Island Long Term Recovery Organizations 

Laura McKenna
South Brooklyn COAD

LES Ready! was on-site at Jacob Riis Houses during last evening’s crane collapse. No injuries have been reported and residents of 749 and 765 FDR Drive have been allowed back into their apartments. If you have questions, concerns, or need assistance, contact us at lesreadyinfo@gmail.com.

LESReady! hosts visiting disaster management and resiliency professionals

What can someone living in an informal settlement in Mumbai learn from an Occupy Sandy volunteer? How does the state of Kerala monitor and assist its handicapped and disabled residents during a disaster – and what can New York City learn from that system?

These were just some of the topics of conversation between LESReady! members and the Crisis Management and Resilience in Coastal India project, a group of five resiliency professionals visiting the U.S. at the invitation of the State Department.

From April 1 until April 19, the group is visiting Washington, D.C., New York City, North Carolina, New Orleans, and Seattle, learning about efforts to adapt to rising sea levels and other coastal risks. During their time in NYC, they reached out to LESReady! to learn about the role that community-based and non-governmental groups play before, during, and after disasters.

LESReady! was thrilled to host the group and participate in this discussion. As coastal cities around the world adapt to climate change and rising seas, knowledge-sharing and dialogue like this is increasingly important. We hope the lessons learned in the LES are taken back and applied in Chennai, Mumbai, and Kerala!

Thanks to the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program for suggesting the meeting and the New York Community Trust for making LESReady’s work possible.

The hoard of recent hurricanes have set record breaking and unprecedented flooding throughout the Caribbean and United States, leaving many small islands utterly devastated. As a community filled with boriquas of the diaspora, LESReady! deeply feels for our family in Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria brought chaos and devastation to Puerto Rico, which was at one of its weakest states having endured Hurricane Irma just days earlier. Coupled with Puerto Rico’s long recession, and its debt crisis– we must rise to support Puerto Rico.

LESReady! Is a community-centered disaster response group that focuses on the Lower East Side. When Superstorm Sandy hit NYC nearly five years ago, community members, community-based organizations, block and tenant associations banded together to take care of one another. Recognizing the need for more coordination across our community groups in the case of a future disaster, we formed LESReady! the March following Superstorm Sandy.

We remember the support that came far and wide when we were recovering from Sandy.

We remember how low-income communities of color, and those which lie at the margins of our society, were the ones most disparately impacted.

As a long-term community-based recovery group, we know very well that community-based organizations are the first to respond, and perhaps more significantly, will be the last to leave.

For these reasons, it is time that we rise in solidarity of our siblings in the Caribbean. Below, please find suggested places to donate monetarily, a list of local drop-off sites for goods, information on how LESReady! is mobilizing, and our commitment to provide up to date information on how to contact loved ones in Puerto Rico as that information becomes available.

For more information, contact Resiliency Training & Policy Coordinator, Ceci Pineda ceci@goles.org. For links to the recommended donation sites and other websites referred, please visit www.lesready.org

In solidarity,

Ayo Harrington and Victoria Lugo
LESReady! Executive Co-Chairs

FINANCIAL DONATIONS

LESReady! would like to highlight two organizations that are currently raising monetary donations to serve those most at the margins:

• The Hispanic Federation Unidos Relief Fund
• Dominica American Relief & Development Association (DARDA) Fundraiser for the Dominica American Relief & Development Association (DARDA)
• Amazon Wishlist for Dominica – Managed by DARDA

HURRICANE RELIEF COLLECTION DRIVES

LES-WIDE COLLECTION DRIVE
LESReady! is closely monitoring immediate supply needs and assessing shipping logistics to establish an LES-wide collection drive for Puerto Rico and other hurricane-impacted areas if logistics allow. If you are interested in being listed as a drop-off location, please fill out your information here.

LES DROP-OFF SITES FOR PUERTO RICO:
We would like to also highlight on the ground efforts from fellow community members of the Lower East Side that are currently accepting supply donations in the Lower East Side for families in Puerto Rico:

Smith Houses Tenant Association

(Baseball Field – Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place between >>South Street & Pearl Street)
Saturday, September 30 (12PM – 8PM)
Selling food to raise donation funds
Accepting packaged goods / supplies

Good Record

218 E 5th Street
Monday – Friday (12P-8P)
Saturday – Sunday (12P-7P)
For information on contact https://www.sociedad.life/papuertorico

WhyNotCare & Iglesia Evangelica Bautista

Calle 8 Church
393 E 8th Street
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (4:30P – 8:30P)
Collecting: Toiletries, Diapers, new or clean blankets, water, batteries, dry food, etc.
For more information, contact: 646.783.8123
IEBCALLE8@gmail.com
Lilah@whynotcaremore.org
Whynotcarenyc@gmail.com

Engine 28 / Ladder 11

222 East 2nd St (Between B & C)
Monday – Friday (7AM – 9PM)
Collecting: Diapers, baby food, batteries, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products
Organized by NYC Mayor’s Office

Lady Tigers Youth Softball Team

428 E 10th Street
Monday – Thursday (6P-9P)
Collecting: Water, non-perishables, toiletries, diapers, and clothing

Loisaida via Eco-Kit Duffle

Visit https://www.ecokitduffle.org/
Place an order for items on the ‘NEEDS LIST’page. Ship items to our pick up center at Loisaida Center. Sorted items are immediately given to Eco-Kits volunteer travelers. Eco-kits get picked up at airports in Puerto Rico by contacted community coordinators and delivered to grass-roots organizations. (Full list on webpage)

NYC DROP-OFF SITES FOR BARBUDA:
The New York City Consulate of Antigua and Barbuda is currently collecting donations at sites through all boroughs for Barbuda. For more information on the priority items being collected and drop-off sites, visit https://www.abconsulate.nyc/goods

CONTACTING LOVED ONES IN PR:
We are connected to La Red De Apoyo Mutuo a Puerto Rico, a network of individuals and groups throughout the United States that are working on compiling on the ground information. We have expressed the need echoed from fellow community members for information on how to contact loved ones. As we attain more information, we will keep people aware of information on how to contact loved ones as that information emerges.

PUERTO RICO EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTERS:
For a directory of emergency operation centers in Puerto Rico (in Spanish), please click: http://prfaa.pr.gov/…/uploa…/2017/09/Oficinas-Regionales.pdf

We remember. We rise. We Resist.