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120 East 32nd Street New York, NY 10016 212-883-0680

GCN/Mainchance News

Happy New Year! Last year ended on a busy note. We celebrated the holiday season,

multiple organizations provided services to GCN, we hosted a fundraising event, and we had a

successful community network fair all while continuing to welcome volunteers and

interns. Please check out all of these happenings in this newsletter. All the best for 2017!

Recent Events and Activities

2016 Holiday Season at GCN

Organizations that provided

services to GCN

Events at GCN

Volunteers

Underground Arts/ Upcoming

Events

Agency News

Message from Brady Crain

Executive Director

Grand Central Neighborhood

Grand Central Neighborhood Board of Directors 2016-2017

Dr. William Kornblum Chairman, City University of New York Mr. Alfred Cerullo, III President, Grand Central Partnership Dr. Jamila Codrington Ms. Didi Goldenhar Ms. Crystal Jordan, JD, MPH Program Director, Brooklyn Plaza Medical Mr. Robert Machleder, Esq. Dr. Rosa Yolanda Pineda Mr. John Ragusa Bank New York Mellon Mr. Bruce Sterman Dr. Terry Williams Vice Chair, The New School for Social Research Mr. Richard Wilpon Sterling Equities, Inc.


The Mainchance Drop in Center moved to 120 East 32nd Street in May 2005.

The building’s name comes from the phrase “having an eye for the main chance” which describes someone who is always looking to improve their

situation. We named the center “Mainchance” after the idiomatic expression because it gives clients their best chance at a new future– one full of

opportunity and hope.

About Us

Grand Central Neighborhood is a non profit organization committed to providing immediate relief to New York City’s homeless

population. Through our Mainchance Drop in Center we offer basic necessities such as food, clothing, showers, chairs for daytime respite and in partnership with the Emergency Shelter Network,

beds for evening respite.

We also have a wide range of social services including case management , group workshops, medical and psychological

services, treatment referrals and housing assistance. Our Soup Kitchen serves 3 meals daily, 7 days a week and is open to the

public.

In order to help people use our center as a bridge to a more secure life, we have designed a delivery of service program to meet our

clients at their various levels of need- tailoring our services to fit the specific situations of each individual in a welcoming and safe

environment. We recognize that, for some, simply coming in from the streets is a significant step.

Building

Amenities

Wifi Daytime Respite Chairs and Evening Respite Beds in collaboration with churches and synagogues Donations Showers Meals


Signature events throughout the year

Hall of Fame Ceremonies: A celebration for the clients that

graduated from the program at GCN. The graduates also speak to the current clients.

Network Fairs: Outside social service agencies including

Catholic Charities and Housing Works come in to GCN. This gives the clients an opportunity to network.

Art Shows: Arts programming initiative that grants opportunities for self expression and creative development. Live Shows: Music, story telling, poetry readings, script & play

readings.


Mainchance by the Numbers

Open 365 Days a year, 24 hours Serves close to 70,000 meals annually Hosts over 50+ public events, performances, and activities annually 120 movable chairs and 20 tables provided for clients and visitors

Respite Bed Providers

Grand Central Neighborhood collaborates directly with the Emergency Shelter Network through churches, synagogues, and other places of worship to provide nightly respite beds to clients who are currently

receiving case management services and concrete housing placement services. We currently collaborate with the sites below in New York City

servicing both males and females:

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Congregation Ansche Chesed The Fifteenth Street Monthly Meeting of The Religious Society of Friends The Community Church of New York Church of the Holy Family Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church/St. James Episcopal Church Church of St. Paul the Apostle St. Mary’s Church Trinity Presbyterian Church Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Church of the Heavenly Rest The Brotherhood Synagogue Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Church of St. Ignatius Loyola


You Can Transform A Life What your dollars buy…. $25 contributes toward clients bare necessities: socks, undergarments, tees, pants. $50 contributes toward professional attire for job and housing interviews. $100 provides bedding, sheets, blankets, and pillows for clients moving into new housing. $500 helps shorten a clients stay at mainchance by contributing to 1st month rent and security deposit.

Item donations: We also accept donations of food, clothing, personal items, and in-kind donations. For details contact: [email protected] (212)883-0680 ext. 308


Thanksgiving at GCN

GCN staff member Nate and volunteers GCN Staff


Christmas at GCN

The layout for the Client Christmas party

Marjorie & Friends. Marjorie is our resident musician during the holiday

season!


NYU College of Dentistry students visited GCN and offered dental services to the clients

The following organizations provided services to GCN


Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

On December 1st

, 2016 the staff at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP held a cocktail party in support of GCN. Both financial and in-kind donations were provided. A representative from GCN was on hand to present an overview of the agency and its mission as well as to answer questions.

GCN was given a very warm reception and we are looking forward to working together in 2017.

California Pizza Kitchen, located not too far from GCN, teamed up with our organization for a

fundraising event!


Marble Collegiate Church donated Christmas brunch to our soup kitchen. They also donated hats, scarves,

gloves, and movie tickets!

Lutheran Medical Services

Clients deal with a wide range of health issues resulting from or exacerbated by life on the street. Because of this GCN has

a partnership with Lutheran Medical Program. This partnership ensures that treatment and care is readily

available in a safe environment at the Mainchance Drop-in Center. They provide tuberculosis testing, general medical

treatment, referrals, etc.


Hall of Fame Ceremony

In Fall 2016 we held our signature Hall of Fame Ceremony where we recognize clients who have recently moved into housing.

These individuals were presented with certificates and gift bags. A reception with light refreshments was held after the

ceremony.

Events at GCN


Tamisha, our housing coordinator, standing against the “I’m Outta Here” wall. Clients who graduated from the program write

thank you notes on this wall.


Community Network Fair October 21st 2016

Our Network Fairs are a collaborative effort between GCN and partnering organizations

to make available existing and future resources to meet the needs of homeless individuals in New York City. We opened our doors to the community along with our

clients. We had a very good turnout and provided information and services to all.

Special thanks to our participating agencies for this Network Fair:

ACE New York Greenwich House

Holy Apostle Housing Works Jericho Project Project Renewal

Realization Center


Testimonials

Thanks for being here in my times of need, a door open. I can’t tell you

how much I appreciate receiving your help. –Karen C.

I want to thank everyone for what they did for me. I would not have made it without the help of everyone from Mainchance. - W. Daley

Peace and love to everyone here. Thanks for saving my life.– Darryl W.

Thank you Mainchance for being patient with me and helping me with

this process.-Gabriel R.

Thank you for being there when a lot of others weren't Mainchance. May Mainchance continue to provide a main chance.– Christa A.


Our Volunteers

Volunteers from Lombard Risk

Xavier High School volunteers Brandon, Jason, and John

Kitchen Supervisor Kevin and kitchen cook Charles

with volunteer Virginia

Thanksgiving volunteers

AHRC


Volunteers and Donors

Our collaborative relationships are the cornerstone of our agency. We also continue to expand partnerships with local businesses and have regular volunteers from a number of corporations and other non-profits. We could not continue the work we do

without the help of our many volunteers. Donations are very important to GCN . To become a donor please go to our website, see link

below or if you would like to make an in-kind donation please contact :

Tiffany Livingstone at [email protected] or 212.883.0680 x 308

You can also check out our Wish List at amazon.com under GCN/Mainchance and make a donation.

Volunteer Corner

Edie Britton

Virginia Crespo Lorri-Ann Cummings

Patricia Higgins Lucy Hwang Don Jacinto

Michele Perazzo Devyani Puri

Emma Minden John Ragusa Meg Winkler

Project Rousseau AHRC NYU

Christian Cultural Center The Bank of Montreal St. John’s University

Baruch College Nice Actimize

Linedata Yeshiva University

United Way UBM

BMO Capital Markets Duane Reade

American Express Conde Nast

Starwood Hotels Shake Shack

Global Brands Group Residence Inn World Trade Center

Trusteforte ZocDoc

Wood Mackenzie TIAA

Bank NY Mellon

BMO Capital Markets Corcoran Cares Virginia Crespo Joanne Csete

Direct Archdiocesan Direct Philoptochos

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Grand Central Partnership

GSG Financial LLC Don Jacinto

Marble Collegiate Church Morgan, Lewis & Bockius

LLP Rock Paper Scissors

The Malkin Fund The Roth Foundation

The Venable Foundation The Windhover Foundation

Financial Donors

Please visit our website

www.grandcentralneighborhood.org

&

Become a Fan of GCN on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/gcnssc

http://www.grandcentralneighborhood.org

http://www.grandcentralneighborhood.org

http://www.facebook.com/GCNSSC


Our Resource Room serves as the meeting and performance space for

this initiative.

Underground Arts

Underground Arts is a multipronged cultural and arts programming initiative. Inspired by the energetic spirit that can be enlivened through the

production and experiencing of art, this initiative is intended to provide GCN’s clients and supporters with some of the most

inspiring free arts programming in Midtown Manhattan.

Events in the Resource Room


Art Exhibition 2016

*Upcoming Events*

Art Show: February 10th-February 24th, 2017 Reception: February 10th, 2017 6PM-9PM

Closing: February 24th, 2017 6PM-9PM Gallery hours: Tuesday’s & Thursday’s 7PM-9PM

Hall of Fame Ceremony: Friday February 24th, 2017 1PM-3PM

Community Network Fair: Friday March 24th, 2017 2PM-3:30PM

Look forward to a Pro Bono Legal Clinic by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP!


Interns

Jeryl Johnson: ICD

Ian Sexton: NYU Silver School of Social Work

Crissy Cunningham: NYU Silver School of Social Work

Isaiah Cifuentes: YAIP Program

Below is our list of interns in the Social Services Department. We welcome them and hope they

will gain valuable experience!


Agency News

Lynne Trichter Retires

For six years Lynne Trichter was the executive assistant for GCN .She recently retired in December 2016. Lynne started out in social services, so working at GCN was like coming

full circle for her. She found her job interesting and enjoyed working with the different departments. Lynne also loved interacting with the volunteers. She was glad to be able to

cultivate relationships with such a diverse group of people. It was especially gratifying for her to see the Hall of Fame

ceremonies and see the clients graduate from the program. She will miss the staff and the staff will miss her.

Enjoy your retirement Lynne!

Lynne holding her celebratory bottle on her last day with the staff!


CBS News Report

On December 9th

, 2016 Marcia Kramer from CBS News did a news segment on drop-in

centers and featured GCN/Mainchance as an example of how we provide much needed services to the homeless in a safe and

welcoming environment. Please view the YouTube link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhg-3lMih58

New Executive Assistant

Tiffany Livingstone replaced Lynne Trichter as Executive Assistant. Tiffany comes to GCN from Lincoln Center for the

Performing Arts where she worked for close to ten years. She holds a Masters Degree in Urban Studies and is excited

to become part of the GCN team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhg-3lMih58


Staff Training

GCN staff were recertified in the administering of the nasal spray Narcan (Naloxone) to reverse an overdose and the procedure to call 911 and wait

with the individual until EMS arrives.

GCN staff Jamel, Anthony, and Mark in their brand new GCN jackets!

120 East 32nd Street New York, NY 10016 212-883-0680

We are “Mainchance”

gcn/mainchance news - grand central neighborhood · grand central neighborhood page 5 mainchance by...

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