Geto & de Milly is proud to collaborate with clients to formulate COVID-19 response efforts. In active dialogue with City and State leaders, agencies and legislators, we are helping clients strategize how best to be of help to communities throughout the city, as well as advising on any assistance that may be available to them and those they serve. So many of our clients have gone above and beyond, joining fellow New Yorkers to lift neighborhoods, deliver services in a challenging time and lay groundwork for an economic revival. Spotlighted below are just a few of these inspiring efforts.
Michele, Ethan and all of us at Geto & de Milly extend our deepest gratitude to all of those fighting to slow the spread of COVID-19 and assist in our local, national and global recovery.
As part of its expanded SeaportCares efforts during the COVID-19 crisis, the Howard Hughes Corporation has arranged for weekly delivery of food pantry items to its Lower Manhattan neighbors at the Smith Houses and those served by Grand St. Settlement, and is supporting local restaurants with weekly food deliveries to first responders and workers at the NYPD’s 1st Precinct, FDNY Engine #6 and the Pier 36 Department of Sanitation depot. Additionally, HHC is providing support to the Fulton Stall Market, so they can continue to make fresh produce and other food items available to the Seaport community. Working through the United Way of New York, HHC is also assisting Seaport area hospitality workers laid off as the result of the pandemic.
QUICK LINKS
- amNewYork: “Howard Hughes Corporation supports New York nonprofits, first responders.”
- See how Howard Hughes Corporation is giving back during this difficult time.
- New York Post: “Howard Hughes Corp. is helping to keep the Seaport District’s nonprofit Fulton Stall Market open during the pandemic crisis.”
NYC’s Major League Soccer team, New York City Football Club, which calls the Bronx home, proudly supports NY Common Pantry in its mission to reduce hunger and promote health and nutrition. Recent concern over COVID-19 has impacted the pantry’s ability to serve some of NYC’s most vulnerable communities. Working with local elected officials, NYCFC has donated 100,000 nutritious meals to NY Common Pantry for families and individuals in-need. As NYCFC CEO Brad Sims noted, “We are proud to do anything we can to contribute to this important work and help our neighbors in the South Bronx stay connected, healthy and fed during this crisis. This is a critical time for New York City, and we are committed to helping communities and individuals, who may need support.”
The social workers at post-prison reentry nonprofit GOSO (Getting Out and Staying Out) are providing essential advocacy and services to incarcerated participants impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. GOSO’s employment program has pivoted to provide virtual job readiness training and connection to crucial jobs–even in this difficult economic climate. GOSO’s team is in close touch with clients and their families to provide medical and court advocacy, as well as assist with reentry services for participants who have been released early due to the pandemic. If interested in supporting these efforts, please visit and share GOSO’s COVID-19 resource page.
QUICK LINKS
- Support GOSO’s ongoing work.
Top NYC multi-family housing provider A&E Real Estate is working with its commercial tenant Sauce Pizzeria in the East Village and owner Adam Elzer, to assist his efforts to deliver free pizzas to hospital workers on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus. Adam’s mission during this pandemic is to comfort hospital workers and, importantly, keep his own 50 employees safe, healthy and employed. A&E has waived rent for Sauce and donated substantially to this effort—which has served as a model for many similar initiatives citywide. Sauce has prepared and delivered upwards of 9,000 pies to hungry healthcare heroes, and police and fire departments responding to COVID-19 throughout the City.
Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, New Alternatives for Children (NAC) has continued and expanded its operations serving children living in poverty who have profound disabilities, chronic illnesses or mental health diagnoses. NAC’s medical clinic has remained open to provide essential medical and mental healthcare services, putting social workers, nurses and doctors on the front lines of the pandemic. NAC is also providing educational programming remotely, even delivering books to clients’ homes. And staff and volunteers are packing food from NAC’s food pantry for daily deliveries to homebound families, providing a nutritional lifeline.
Grand Street Guild, a Section 8 housing complex on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, is dedicated to providing 100% quality affordable housing for low income families and senior citizens. Grand Street Guild (GSG) management is taking active measures to inform, nourish and assist residents during this challenging time. In collaboration with NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, GSG has arranged for twice-weekly delivery of food packages for residents in need.
The GSG social services team is making sure that families and individuals who suffer from food insecurity receive gift cards to local grocery stores, thanks to a collaboration with Catholic Charities and Henry Street Settlement. They also have been recruiting volunteers to help with in-home wellness checks for seniors and making sure they receive their mail and packages.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Harlem-based mental-health services provider Emma L. Bowen Community Service Center has continued to provide a strong system of essential mental health and addiction recovery to their clients. The Bowen Center’s exceptional team of healthcare professionals is working diligently to ensure clients do not experience an interruption to services upon which they rely. Clients are able to continue with regular programming and appointments through a newly launched Televisit service.
Like so many, the Bowen Center lost a dear friend and colleague to COVID-19. Peer Specialist Robert Crawford, a former client, led by example and helped others to recognize the power of recovery. The Bowen Center’s leadership and staff honor his memory.
Through The PepsiCo Foundations’ Food for Good program, a partnership with No Kid Hungry, 20 million nutritious meals have been served across the country. A $500,000 donation to The Robin Hood Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund is providing immediate financial support to New York City nonprofits that serve vulnerable groups. Supporting the New York Community Trust’s Response & Impact Fund with a $100,000 donation is helping to accelerate the development of FDA-approved rapid testing for COVID-19. Recognizing the catastrophic impact the pandemic has had on our nation’s restaurants, PepsiCo has also donated $1.5 million to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to support the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund.
Brooklyn’s Rainbow Heights Club provides advocacy, assistance and critical mental health services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients from around the City. In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, Rainbow Heights Club has enhanced its remote service offerings and expanded its digital engagement and online advocacy to ensure that clients receive an unbroken course of care and that the LGBTQ community continues to have a strong voice in this public health crisis.
QUICK LINKS
- Support the Rainbow Heights Club’s ongoing work.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Playwrights Horizons is using its digital toolbox to continue its unique mission of sponsoring development of contemporary American playwrights, composers and lyricists, presenting their new works virtually. Recognizing that theater, now more than ever, serves as a critical piece in our community’s healing process, Playwrights Horizons is adapting theatrical productions to new media formats. With series like “Soundstage,” a just-launched podcast presenting works by today’s most exciting playwrights, we may continue to experience the transformative and transporting ability of theater from our homes, until we can safely gather at the theater again.
COVID-19 RESOURCES
City
- New York City Department of Health.
- New York City Small Business Services.
- New York City Department of Education Free Meals.
State
- New York Community Trust (response grants for arts and cultural organizations and nonprofits).