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The service center will be located at the Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center in Manhattan.
By Forum Staff
A service center will open in Manhattan this week to support displaced individuals and families from Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands following recent hurricanes, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday.
The facility is set to open on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center located at 1680 Lexington Avenue and will offer in-person support and access to services to individuals affected by hurricanes Maria, Irma, and Harvey, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The City is urging people planning to visit the service centers to make an appointment.
According to the administration, services provided at the center include but are not limited to:
Department of Social Services will assist with enrollment in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, cash assistance, and public health insurance, and help connect people with emergency food assistance. English and Spanish speakers will be available to assist with enrollment.
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will provide mental health counseling, health insurance support, emergency pharmacy assistance and will refer individuals to medical care in collaboration with NYC Health + Hospitals. They will also provide information on immunization assistance targeted toward school enrollment.
Department for the Aging will provide meals to seniors, assist in case management, and assist with senior employment.
Department of Education will provide information and assistance for displaced students.
Human Resource Administration’s Office of Civil Justice will convene several legal providers to provide legal consultation to individuals in need.
American Red Cross of Greater New York will assist in disaster relief management — including referrals, distribution of emergency supplies, and applying for assistance — and mental health counseling.
Animal Care and Control and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will provide veterinary care and pet supplies.
The New York Disaster Interfaith Services will provide spiritual care to those in need.
“As we’ve unfortunately learned all too well here in New York, few things are more critical during and after a crisis than clear information and cross-agency coordination,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer. “Cross-agency service centers offering one stop shopping and ability to cut through red tape may not seem like much against the backdrop of the terrible tragedy unfolding in Puerto Rico and the other areas affected by recent hurricanes, but they can make a huge difference in the lives of the affected families.”
