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Resources and Assistance Available During Covid 19 

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The information below is a compilation of resources available on many topics.  As such there may be some overlap and duplication.  However, rather than edit the list, in the interest of time in order to make the information immediately available, the list has been posted in its entirety.

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Accessing Essential Resources During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 

This sheet includes information for families about accessing essential services while living in New York during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

 

Free Internet

 

 

Financial Supports

 

  • Gas & Electric

    • All New York State major utility companies have agreed to a no-disconnect policy. Electric and gas utilities will not be powered off even if customers cannot pay. 

 

  • Benefits 

    • During this crisis, HRA will take no negative case actions on any current benefits case

    • New Yorkers can also apply for SNAP, cash assistance, Medicaid, and Fair Fares online: https://a069-access.nyc.gov/accesshra/

 

  • Debt

    • All NYS debt collection has been suspended. This is debt owed to New York State only.

    • New Yorkers with student debt, medical debt & other state-referred debt will have payments frozen for at least 30 days.

 

 

  • Housing

    • NYC tenants cannot be evicted from a NYC apartment/house during this crisis.

    • NYC Housing Court is closed and no new case filings will take place.

 

Food Assistance 

 

 

  • NYC Department of Education Meals:

    • NYC DOE is providing 3 meals a day to all NYC children (to be eaten off the premises):

 

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  • A list of verified food pantries in the Bronx:

    • Project Bravo at 3058 Bainbridge Avenue, 10467 (718-231-3296 ext. 29 or 23).  

      • Montefiore families can come 1 time a month

      • Open Mondays and Fridays 12 PM to 2 PM (older/senior caregivers can arrive earlier in the day, around 10 AM) and Wednesdays 10 AM to 12 PM 

    • Mosholu Montefiore Community Center at 3450 Dekalb Avenue, 10467 (718-882-4000)

      • Open Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM

      • Cooked meals for seniors Tuesdays/Thursdays 11:30 AM and 1 PM (grab and go)

    • Pentecost Care Community Outreach at 621 East 216th Street, 10467 (718-515-5366)

      • Thursdays at 4 PM

    • Heavenly Vision Christian Center at 2868 Jerome Avenue, 10468 (718-220-8124/347-449-8804)

      • Temporarily closed until food is replenished (call for updates on available food)

      • 9 AM to 10:30 AM Tuesdays 

 

  • Food pantries not verified (potential options, though have not made contact with these sites)

    • Christ Disciples International Ministries at 3021-33 Webster Avenue, 10467 (718-994-5422).

    • Jewish Community Council of Pelham Parkway at 2157 Holland Avenue, 10462 (718-792-4744)

    • Tolentine Zeiser Community Life Center at 2345 University Avenue, 10468 (718-220-2824)

    • New St. John Baptist Church at 2409 Lorillard Place, 10458 (917-400-4830)

    • Thorpe Family Residence at 406 E 184th Street, 10458 (718-295-2550)

 

  • Delivery Service

    • Invisible Hands is providing free food and supply delivery (including delivery from food pantries) to those at-risk in all 5 boroughs

 

Health Supports

 

 

Mental Health Supports

 

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255); En Español 1-888-628-9454; or online chat suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat

  • Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH): Call if you or someone you care about needs emotional support; call 1-800-985-5990 or text MHFA to 741741

  • National Parent Helpline: to get emotional support and problem-solving help for parents (available Monday through 1 pm to 10 pm): 1-855-427-2736

  • NYC Well: a confidential helpline for mental health and substance use services. Call 1-888-692-9355, text “Well” to 65173 or visit online at nyc.gov/nycwell

  • Domestic Violence/Abuse Hotlines:

    • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 24/7, confidential and free, 1-800-9799-7233 or online chat at www.thehotline.org/what-is-live-chat/

    • Safe Horizon: NYC’s 24-hour hotline: 1-800-621-4673

    • NYC Hope Resource Directory at nyc.gov/NYCHOPE

    • Text LOVEIS to 22522

 

COVID-19 Information

  • For New York City Information:

  • For National Information:

    • Visit the Center for Disease Control’s Website

 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

 

School Supports

 

  • Remote Learning

    • Answers to questions about NYC DOE remote learning can be found here (Q&A in the infohub):

 https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learn-at-home/information-on-remote-learning

  • If you are having difficulty connecting to remote learning, find frequently asked questions here:

 https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learn-at-home/technical-tools-and-support

 

  • Special education

    • IEP (for special education) meetings will still take place by phone

    • To make a referral for initial evaluation or reevaluation, you can email your principal or specialeducation@schools.nyc.gov, or call 311

 

 

 

 

Financial Resources Related to COVID-19

Below is a list of emergency financial resources that are not specific to this crisis, but are still available to access. 

 

Unemployment Insurance

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Help for Specific Types of Employment

 

Health Resources

 

Help for Small Businesses

 

Help Running Errands

  • For those high-risk New Yorkers who cannot leave their homes, there is a volunteer-led delivery effort for groceries and other goods: https://www.invisiblehandsdeliver.com/ (Note: only delivery is free, people still have to pay for their goods.)

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Mental Health Resources

  • Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH): Call 1-800-985-5990 and text "TalkWithUs" to 66746 for crisis counseling and support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress or other behavioral health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including public health emergencies.

 

Specific Utility Resources

  • National Grid has suspended collections services including gas disconnections. Residential and commercial heat and cooking gas cannot be shut off through the end of April. https://www.nationalgridus.com/COVID-19 

 

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

 

  • 1-800-LIFENET

 

 

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Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255); En Español 1-888-628-9454 
The Lifeline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lifeline connects callers to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals. People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889.

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Text “HELLO” to 741741 
The Crisis Text hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the U.S. The Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, connecting them with a crisis counselor who can provide support and information.

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Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 
The disaster distress helpline provides immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. The helpline is free, multilingual, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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  • Infoaboutkids.org for online resources about physical, emotional, social health in children

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  • Trevor Project TrevorLifeline (for anyone, but particularly LGBTQ-identified youth): 866-488-7386

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

TrevorText: Text START to 678678 and TrevorChat: through a computer (not for smart phones/tables)

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  • Montefiore Relaxation Line   The hotline is available 24 hours a day, offering a choice of gentle music and guided relaxation tracks, in English and Spanish, at 718-920-CALM (2256)

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  • Relaxation Apps -  can be downloaded to your phone (also via App Store or Google Play)

Calm   www.calm.com

Headspace   www.headspace.com

For Children: Smiling Mind   www.smilingmind.com.au

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ACTIVITY & EDUCATION RESOURCES

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  • Daily Writing Prompts

Students Can Respond to Daily Writing Prompts, Inspired by The New York Times, at

Home for Free

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/15/learning/students-can-respond-to-daily-writing-

prompts-inspired-by-the-new-york-times-at-home-for-free.html?referringSource=articleShare

 

  • 28 Day Sketch Challenge

https://brooklynartlibrary.org/28daychallenge

 

  • Kids Activity Guide

https://www.nymetroparents.com/at-home-

fun.pdf?utm_source=NYMetroParents&utm_campaign=d4b6423588-

EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_17_09

 

  • Activities for Artists

https://www.artsyshark.com/2020/03/18/50-things-artists-can-do-while-self-

isolated/?utm_source=Updates+%26+Opportunities+3-18-20&utm_ca

Scholastic Inc Resources

 https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html 

We also have resources about stress/relaxation particular and a hub of resources for

teachers/parents to work with children about the virus

itself: https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/coronavirus.html

 

  • These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-

virtual-tours

 

  • Cincinnati Zoo to start 'Home Safari Facebook Live' to keep kids learning during their

time off

https://www.wkyc.com/article/entertainment/cincinnati-zoo-to-start-home-safari-

facebook-live-to-keep-kids-learning-during-their-time-off/95-4d957e04-50dc-4f18-

9e9c-63e8dd5012f4 

 

  • Boredom Busters: 110 Fun At-Home Activities for Families & Kids

https://familyeguide.com/boredom-busters-110-fun-at-home-activities-for-families-kids-2/

 

 

  • 49 Montessori-inspired ideas for indoor activities with your kids 

https://www.mother.ly/child/montessori-inspired-indoor-activities

 

  • 33 NATIONAL PARK TOURS YOU CAN TAKE VIRTUALLY FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

https://totallythebomb.com/heres-33-national-park-tours-you-can-take-virtually-from-

the-comfort-of-your-home

 

 

FREE ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES

 

  • Free Resources from Lakeshore Learning

https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/resources/free-

resources?utm_content=B_A_FreeResources&utm_campaign=20200220_1689045_RetailWebS

pl

 

by-coronaviruscovid-19

 

 

 

 

  • New York Public Library – many online resources www.nypl.org

 

 

CORONAVIRUS:  HOW TO KEEP CALM

 

  • Practice good hygiene – Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds (front, back, fingers), or use hand sanitizer.  It may be hard, but try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.  This will reduce your chances of getting sick.

 

  • Maintain your normal routine – When there’s a stressful event happening, sticking to your usual daily activities as much as possible can give you a sense of safety.

 

  • Eat healthy foods and exercise – This wouldn’t be the time to try out an all-ice cream and potato chip diet!  Eating can be comforting, but make sure you’re getting lots of fruits and vegetables, along with whatever treats you enjoy.  And get some movement in there too – it’s been proven to fight anxiety.

 

  • Avoid social media and TV news – It’s important to stay in touch with family and friends, but it’s probably a good idea to stay away from too much news about the Coronavirus.  “How much is too much?” you ask? If you find yourself worrying a lot and it’s interrupting your daily activities or sleep, it’s too much!  Which brings us to…

 

  • Sleep – Be sure you’re getting enough sleep EVERY NIGHT.  Doing this will help you to stay calm AND it will help your body fight off sickness!  Win-win, right?  And keep your electronics out of your room when you sleep.  What’s that, you say? You use your phone to wake you up in the morning?  Now’s the time to get yourself a real, old-school alarm clock.  Ask your parents or grandparents; they can help you find one.

 

  • Enjoy yourself – Listen to your favorite music, play with your pets, talk with your friends.  And if you’re still feeling worried or overwhelmed…

 

  • Seek support – This is one of the best ways to feel calm and grounded.  Talk to your parents, grandparents, teachers, other supportive adults, your health center staff.  We are here for you. You can also call the Montefiore Relaxation Hotline at 718-920-CALM (2256). It’s available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, offering a choice of gentle music and guided relaxation tracks.

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