Over the past month of quarantine, I’ve worked from home, cooked and cleaned far too many dishes, had Zoom and FaceTime happy hours and birthdays, worked out at home, had major emotional highs and lows, and took care of a cat I’m fostering. Yes, I am one of the fortunate ones because I can do ALL of this, and still have my health.
I live 2 miles away from Elmhurst Hospital in the NYC borough most affected by the coronavirus and lately, I’ve been getting this itch that staying home has simply NOT been enough. I desperately want to take action to help the city I so love during this crisis.
Helping the homeless
They are one of New York City’s most vulnerable communities. Up until about a month ago when my quarantine started, I’ve witnessed on a daily basis homeless men and women on subway platforms, in trains, and on the NYC sidewalks. Without access to proper housing and hygiene, they live in a very dangerous, hazardous situation.
Prior to the quarantine, I had plans to begin training for the TCS Marathon as part of a charity entry in which I would help fundraise for the Bowery Resident’s Committee (BRC). As the quarantine loomed I started to feel the weight of this new lifestyle and perhaps even adopted a defeatist attitude about whether or not the marathon would take place. So, no, I am no longer running the marathon BUT I am still contributing to the work of the BRC, which provides essential services to NYC’s homeless. I have begun a fundraising page to gather donations for the BRC with a goal to raise $500. If you are able, I encourage you to donate to help the BRC continue their essential work. Click here to donate now!
Sewing and donating mask covers
When guidelines changed and we were asked to begin wearing cloth face coverings, I knew I wanted to figure out how to sustainably obtain my own masks, but also help those who may not have access or the ability to purchase masks that are in limited supply. So an easy way of doing this is by donating – I love Reformation and they are working with LA Protects to supply masks to those in need, including essential workers – but if you’re looking for a creative outlet while home, you can also sew a mask.
Sewing for Lives began as a Facebook group and now has a website that helps connect healthcare professionals and seamstresses. By donating homemade mask covers, you help protect the very limited supply of medical-grade masks. The website includes guidelines on the appropriate mask needed, where you can find fabric, and the locations in need of mask covers. I love that this very grassroots idea has taken hold and as of 4/14, 46,000 mask covers have already been delivered!
About those stimulus checks…
Being someone lucky enough to have a livable wage in NYC and still eligible to receive a stimulus check, the stimulus check I’m expecting is definitely welcome, but I don’t necessarily NEED all of it. I know there are many others who are better off for my donations. I’ll be donating my check to ensure doctors and other essential workers can get the proper PPE, donating to the local Food Bank, and others.
I know that these contributions are small. There could be MORE done. I’m sharing my plan in the hopes that we can have a collective effort, something that is larger than any single one of us, to help the greater good and those going through a tougher time. If you’re tired of just staying home, and have the means to support, these are a few places where you can also start to help.
Photography by Olivia Steuer pre-quarantine