LESReady! is committed to assessing the unmet needs of people affected by disasters and to assist in their recovery, utilizing disaster case management and the combined resources of our members. In the event of a disaster affecting the Lower East Side, LESReady! members will provide a locally-based Disaster Case Manager to serve as a single point of contact for those with unmet needs.
A Disaster Case Manager can assist families and individuals by:
- Offering information and referral services;
- Preparing a comprehensive assessment of client needs;
- Developing an individualized disaster recovery plan;
- Advocating to resolve unmet needs, assisting with appeals, and facilitating access to available benefits and services;
- Maintaining ongoing contact with clients;
- Initiating or participating in case conferencing where needed with other service providers.
Where To Get Help
Seeking help? Many LESReady! member organizations continue to provide case management and assistance to those still in recovery from Superstorm Sandy. Please review the below organizations’ descriptions and their contact information.
Need to speak to someone now?
Call the National Disaster Distress Helpline
1-800-985-5990
Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE)
Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Asian Americans and all of those who are in need. Founded in 1974 to advocate for equal rights, AAFE has transformed in the past four decades to become one of New York’s preeminent housing, social service and community development organizations. AAFE is committed to preserving affordable housing throughout New York and to providing new opportunities for the city’s diverse immigrant communities. Through a wide range of multilingual counseling services, AAFE provides education, financial assistance and training to empower people, small businesses and neighborhoods. At its heart, AAFE embodies the hopes and dreams of New York’s many vibrant immigrant communities, and helps turn those dreams into reality.
Contact Information
Phone: 212-979-8988
Email: parick_chang@aafe.org
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing services to people affected by disasters. The Red Cross works 24/7 to be ready to respond. When a disaster happens, the Red Cross provides safe shelter, food, emergency relief supplies, emotional support and health services to people in need. The Red Cross also offers the “Safe & Well” website that allows family and friends to know you are safe after a disaster.
Contact Information
Phone: (877)733-2767
Website: redcross.org
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York’s Disaster Case Management Program
Hurt by Hurricane Sandy? Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York’s Disaster Case Management Program is operated by under the auspices of the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Emergency Management and funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Whether you have applied for FEMA or not — even if you were not eligible or were denied assistance — there may be local resources available for you. A trained, compassionate case manager can work one-on-one with you to:
- Answer your questions about recovery
- Develop a plan to address your needs
- Connect you with appropriate community resources
- Determine what financial assistance may be available to you
- Advocate on your behalf with service and benefit providers
Contact Information
Phone: 855-258-0483
Website: www.catholiccharitiesny.org
The Cooper Square Committee
The Cooper Square Committee (CSC) works with area residents to contribute to the preservation and development of affordable, environmentally healthy housing and community/cultural spaces so that the Cooper Square area remains racially, economically,
and culturally diverse. We provide a variety of housing and social services to residents of Lower Manhattan free of charge:
- Tenant Counseling and Eviction Prevention
- Community and Tenant Organizing
- Social Services and Referrals
- Community Development
- Note: Program does not provide money for rent arrears/rent debt.
Contact Information
Phone: 212-228-8210 ext. 5
Email: danielw@coopersquare.org or csc@coopersquare.org
Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES)
GOLES provides services to help those in our community keep their homes, understand their housing rights, and achieve job-readiness. GOLES also offers assistance to seniors struggling with the challenges of living on the Lower East Side. GOLES offer disaster Case Management due to Hurricane Sandy.
Contact Information
Phone: 212-533-2541
Henry Street Settlement Neighborhood Resource Center
Henry Street Settlement Neighborhood Resource Center is a free walk-in service to help community members of the Lower East Side (South of 14th Street/across to the West Side Hwy) access needed services/resources. Clients are screened for financial, legal, health insurance, employment and child care/family needs. Referrals to community-based mental health/workforce training services are provided by case managers and mental health professionals. The NRC Parent Center offers parent and parent/child groups and workshops in both English and Chinese. Emergency funds are available to eligible residents of the Lower East Side impacted by Superstorm Sandy.
Contact Information
Phone: 212-471-2400
Fax: 212-471-2409
Address: 281 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002
HOPE Coalition America, a division of Operation HOPE, Inc.
Whether it’s a man-made or natural disaster , your family and/or small business needs to be prepared to carry on in less than ideal or even dire circumstances. It may be difficult to think about future events when you may still be dealing with the effects of Sandy, but plan you must. That’s why LES Ready has partnered with Operation Hope to offer LES residents and small business owners Free Disaster Financial Recovery and Preparedness services.
Operation Hope, the nation’s leading financial literacy and economic empowerment nonprofit organization, has been providing free, individualized disaster financial recovery and preparedness services to individuals and small businesses throughout NY and NJ as they work to recover from Sandy.
Contact Information
Phone: 888-388-HOPE(4673)
Email: pedro.barry@operationhope.org
Nazareth Housing
Nazareth Housing is committed to the promotion of housing stability and economic independence among low income families and individuals of New York City, through the provision of homelessness prevention services, emergency family shelter, supportive housing and urgent needs assistance. In addition to our programs and services, Nazareth Housing is committed to providing ongoing assistance to all individuals and families in need as a result of disasters in the New York City community.
Contact Information
Phone: 212-777-1010
Email: info@nazarethhousingnyc.org
New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS)
The NYC Sandy Unmet Needs Roundtable, administered by New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), brings together a diverse group of individual donors and case management organizations to address the unique unmet needs of impacted survivors of Superstorm Sandy. Households who can not access government resources and/or who max out of other resources and remain unsustainable without additional assistance can apply through their Disaster Case Manager. Our primary resources are emergency assistance grants, sustainable recovery grants, household furniture and appliances and building materials.
Contact Information
Website: www.nydis.org/
Salvation Army
Salvation Army staff and volunteers provide food and beverages, clothing, shelter, pastoral counseling along with a variety of other services. Our commitment to service assures that people receive practical, emotional and spiritual support during times of disaster, wherever the need.
Contact Information
Email: matt.baker@use.salvationarmy.org
University Settlement
University Settlement is one of New York’s most dynamic social service institutions with deep roots on the Lower East Side. Each year University Settlement’s diverse programs help 30,000 low-income and at-risk people build better lives for themselves and their families. With an impressive legacy as the first settlement house in the United States, University Settlement has been an incubator for progressive ideas for 128 years, offering pioneering programs in mental health, early childhood education, literacy, arts education, and adolescent development that set the standard. Building on the strength of this experience, University Settlement now provides services at 27 locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Contact Information
Website: www.universitysettlement.org