Holiday Assistance

Background

Bedford-Stuyvesant, a neighborhood stretching a large swath of north Brooklyn, faces distinct challenges. It has been a major cultural center for Brooklyn’s Black population, whose communities have fought to uplift and reinvest in their neighborhood. Gentrification, a problem Bed-Stuy has faced since 2000, threatens to overtake this revitalization and divest the benefits to newer, higher-income residents.

Crime rates have seen a decrease, but rising rent prices have disproportionately affected long-term, lower-income residents, contributing to an uptick in displacement and homelessness. With 22% of residents living in poverty and 18% food-insecure, we uplift and support our community by providing services that reduce these burdens weighing on individuals.

Youth Programming

Our youth services are vital to helping and empowering young people. These include music and creative arts instruction, after-school enrichment programs, summer day and sleepaway camps, and, in some cases, daycare. We provide a nurturing learning environment while giving parents peace of mind, knowing their children are safe. These programs offer educational support, leadership development, character building, and nutritious meals and snacks to promote healthy growth and learning. Additionally, they provide mentorship and life skills training to help youth with social-emotional learning. We are dedicated to preparing our youth for a productive future through these initiatives.

Feeding

Many New Yorkers are food-insecure, and The Salvation Army is on the front lines addressing this critical issue. Through food pantries, soup kitchens, and special holiday meals, we serve as an essential nutritional resource at our 38 community centers. We ensure that our neighbors can rely on us as an ally in the fight against hunger.

Emergency Assistance

The Salvation Army is a leading international disaster response organization, deploying resources in local and national emergencies. In New York, we partnered with responders in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Superstorm Sandy, and the COVID-19 pandemic, among other catastrophic events. Our team is trained in recovery, mitigation, and preparedness. We also consider poverty a slow-moving disaster and respond through our street outreach for unhoused New Yorkers. The Salvation Army supports affected individuals and families during natural disasters or unforeseen crises.