COVID-19

We hope you and your families are healthy and safe.

Never has the need for BCHS’ work been more urgent, and we wish to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has reached out with good wishes and support for BCHS and our residents during the COVID-19 crisis.

We are pleased to report that due to the heroic efforts of our staff very few of our 412 residents have contracted the virus to date.

Here is what we are doing to keep our formerly homeless and at-risk residents safe:

• Residents of Brooklyn Gardens and Navy Green have been receiving 24/7 on-site staff support since the start of the crisis while staff strictly adhere to social distancing and safety protocols.
• Common areas in Brooklyn Gardens and Navy Green are being diligently cleaned and sanitized to keep everyone as safe as possible.
• Cleaning supplies, masks and gloves are in good stock, and masks have been distributed to all residents and staff.
• BCHS’ residents are continually educated and reminded about social distancing protocols and other precautions like mask wearing and regular hand washing.
• Our Scattered-Site residents living in apartments throughout Brooklyn are in close contact with BCHS staff everyday by phone and through video conferencing, with occasional in-person visits.
• Our BHAC team that works with families at risk of losing their housing has continued to provide support by phone and through video conferencing as well.

BCHS has been actively involved in getting staff and residents vaccinated to ensure their long-term safety. We’ve held information sessions for staff and residents and offered a variety of resources to stay up to date on the latest information on vaccines and Delta variant.

• To make the process easier for everyone, BCHS has also been arranging regular vaccination opportunities on-site.
• We re-established our on-site Horticultural Therapy program, in partnership with the New York Horticultural Society; and we held outdoor holiday barbecues for residents that adhered to safety guidelines but allowed for small gatherings, which promoted a sense of community.
• We are assessing the possibilities for a limited office re-opening that would allow for even more in-person support for our residents – we will post updates about such a re-opening when it occurs.

When the challenge was hardest and the need was greatest our frontline staff rolled up their sleeves with resolve and resilience, and we are proud to say that the effort of the entire BCHS community – staff, Board, friends, and supporters – is continuing to have a tremendous, positive impact on the lives of the most vulnerable and fragile among us, every day.

Thank you all for standing together with BCHS, and for your continued support.