Supporting homebound neighbors

Not every neighbor can come to us

Being part of the neighborhood should not depend on being able to leave home. The Gramercy Park Block Association’s community-service program includes year-round support for homebound neighbors, through meals, clothing, gifts and connections to social-service organizations.

The Block Association’s 2014 retrospective places that work alongside support for people who were ill, injured, disabled or frail. It describes care as an ongoing relationship, not only a holiday collection.

2008

A benefit inside a Gramercy townhouse

The Neighborhood Support Network also benefited from a tour of 23 Gramercy Park South on October 20, 2008. Arlene Harrison and Tara Rockefeller co-hosted the visit, linking neighbors’ interest in the historic house with support for people who were homebound. Explore the tour and its original photographs.

Practical help takes different forms

The same record includes donations of household goods and furniture, clothing for Kenmore Hall residents, and hot plates for buildings temporarily without gas. These were different situations, each calling for a useful response.

A March 2014 report gives another example: neighborhood donations of clothing, furniture and educational supplies were delivered through Calvary–St. George’s programs. The parish partnership helped connect contributions with people who could use them.

2017

A local food partnership

An April 2017 newsletter recorded Daily Provisions providing food for homebound neighbors. The contribution added a local food business to the network of people and organizations helping residents who could not easily come to a shared meal.

Begin with what is needed

Neighbors Helping Neighbors works through personal connections and established organizations.

If you would like to help—or ask whether the Block Association can connect a neighbor with an appropriate resource—contact the Block Association. Please confirm needs and arrangements before donating goods or planning a visit.

2014

Matching useful goods with local needs

The service retrospective also recorded clothing and supplies for the Narragansett supportive-housing program, kitchen supplies from the National Arts Club for a local soup kitchen, and office equipment and furniture for nonprofit organizations.

A welcome, and help in a crisis

The earlier program record includes a hospitality committee for new residents, a fundraiser toward a young neighbor’s medical costs, and a Community Improvement Project employing people facing homelessness or low incomes. These were additional ways of connecting practical help with neighborhood life.

The 2002–2006 annual work lists repeatedly include welcoming and crisis support. They record areas of activity, without establishing a current service or a complete account of each person helped.