Category Archives: help
Thanks for applying for a 2013 Change by Us mini-grant! The application period of the process is now closed, and your submitted applications will be evaluated by the CBU team and grant committee. Applicants will be notified of grant decisions later this month. Thanks again for participating—we can’t wait to learn more about all the fantastic projects that have applied.
To check out (and join!) some of these new initiatives, visit the Featured Projects section on our homepage.
There’s still time to apply for our mini-grant! Applications are due next Tuesday, April 30. Click here to apply today.
To complete a 2013 CBU Mini-Grant Application, you need a healthy food project. Below is a step by step guide on how to get started and list your project on CBU.
Change by Us: How To Start A Project from Change by Us on Vimeo.
Need a few good volunteers to join your project? In order to be eligible for our mini-grant, your project needs at least 5 members, and this tutorial is designed to help you achieve just that. Watch the video below to learn about promoting your project on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms in order to get as many interested people involved as you possibly can!
Change by Us: Promoting a Project from Change by Us on Vimeo.
Good luck!
Improving your block’s tree-scape is only an application away—MillionTreesNYC is offering mini-grants of up to $1000 for grassroots tree care projects. This year, the initiative is offering two project options—street tree care and reforestation site care projects. To learn more and to access the online application form, please visit their Mini-Grants page. Have questions? Email stewards@milliontreesnyc.org.
Applications are due by May 1, 2013 – apply today and help transform neighborhoods across our city!
Citizens Committee for New York City—which supports resident-led community improvement initiatives across the five boroughs—has announced that it is making $100,000 in emergency grants available to support volunteer-led relief groups helping neighborhoods recover from the storm.
Neighborhood rebuilding and cleanup projects centered on the storm’s hardest-hit neighborhoods will be given priority. Citizens Committee also notes that volunteer groups working in city-designated Zone A evacuation areas, Hurricane Sandy-affected NYCHA developments (its Tenants Associations and Resident Green Committees), as well as community gardens, schools, and “Friends of” parks groups are encouraged to apply.
Citizens Committee CEO Peter H. Kostmayer explains: “These grants go up to $5,000 and our grant decision process will be expedited. Groups will be notified of our grant decision within a week of application submission and grant checks will be issued shortly thereafter.”
For more information on applying for a grant and donating to the Citizens Committee for New York City’s Hurricane Relief Fund, visit www.citizensnyc.org.
Staten Island was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, and many compassionate individuals are hard at work helping the borough to recover from the storm. Where to Turn is maintaining a Sandy Support message board, which is full of announcements detailing where volunteers are needed, information for those in need of assistance, and important announcements for residents affected by the storm. And over on Facebook, the Save Our Shores group frequently updates its page with useful items—questions are being answered and people are finding out how to get involved in the relief effort. Visit them here.
New York has experienced an inspiring outpouring of support as the City continues to recover from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, but there is still much to be done. Looking to help New York City emerge stronger than ever? Here are three great ideas:
-The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is accepting financial donations which are then dispersed to relief efforts and organizations. Find out more and donate here.
-NYC Service, launched by Mayor Bloomberg in 2009, is the City’s official volunteer office. It’s easy to find out how you can help New Yorkers in need after Hurricane Sandy by visiting the office online here.
-The New York Blood Center is in need of donations. Hurricane Sandy had a tremendous impact on the blood supply in New York City. Find out where you can give blood to help end the shortage here.
Donated Sandy Housing Directory: New Yorkers can list their homes and extra space easily and immediately, all for free, and people who are looking for a place to stay can access these free spaces via Airbnb’s Donated Sandy Housing Directory.
New York Cares: Volunteer opportunities for Sandy Recovery are posted on a rolling basis, so check back frequently!
Brooklyn Public Library Donation Drop Off: Beginning Thursday, November 8, 16 BPL locations will be collecting items for those impacted by Hurricane Sandy
Where to Turn: Especially useful for those on Staten Island!
Coney Recovers: An initiative of the Alliance for Coney Island
FEMA Assistance Application: Learn more about what FEMA offers here
Disaster Assistance: Here’s where you can apply online!
Daytime Warming Centers: With the drop in temperatures, the City is providing warming centers located within Senior Centers in the five boroughs for a place to get out of the cold during the day. Residents can go to these sites to pick-up food, blankets, and water
Overnight Shelters: The public shelters are available to anyone who requires overnight shelter including food, water, and shower facilities.
Bus Service to Select Overnight Shelters: Bus service is available to select bus shelters
Blanket, Food, and Water Distribution Sites: Residents can go to these sites to pick-up food, blankets, and water.
Food Truck Locations: Hot food will be available via local food trucks at these locations from 12PM – 4PM.
Mobile Medical Van Locations: Mobile medical vans staffed with primary care providers who will be able to provide medical care and distribute commonly prescribed drugs are now at several of the City’s Disaster Assistance Service Centers.
Comprehensive Service Map: Includes volunteering and donation, shelters and recovery centers, and other useful locations.
Con Edison Outage Map: Maps the number of customers out in a given area.
Parks Updates: Important Parks Department storm-related service changes.
Red Hook Initiative stands tall as a leader in helping the Southern Brooklyn community recover from Hurricane Sandy. This terrific youth development organization has been enlisting volunteers to distribute food and other necessities, and has spearheaded an amazing supply donations effort. Their great work continues to help residents in need; read more and learn how to lend your support here.
596 Acres—a fantastic organization that helps communities across New York City transform vacant public land into sustainable neighborhood resources—has been doing great work assisting the Rockaways to rebuild and recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. They have partnered with UnLocal, CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities, and the Gowanus Studio Space to bring food, medical care, legal assistance, much-needed supplies, and more to residents that were among the hardest hit by the storm. Learn more and find out how you can get involved here.
Are you interested in seeing healthier food in local stores and educating your community about the importance of a healthy diet? The New York City Health Department is hosting a series of workshops on their Adopt-a-Shop program in the Bronx and Queens throughout the rest of July and August to help you do just that. The workshops equip participants with the tools they need to get healthy food choices at their local food stores, and to act as advocates for their local businesses. The remaining workshops are listed on our calendar, and don’t forget to visit the NYC Health website and the Change by Us NYC Tumblr to learn more.
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