NEW YORK, June 15, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Trinity Church Wall Street has announced its latest grant awards, including more than $22 million to 111 nonprofit organizations in NYC, the U.S., and abroad. Most of the grants are aimed at addressing the urgent issues — the concurrent crises of housing affordability, mental health, community safety, and asylum seekers — in line with Trinity's strategic mission areas that work for justice rooted in essential human dignity.
"This is a time of great and increasing need in our neighborhood, and across the world," said the Rev. Phillip Jackson, Rector of Trinity Church Wall Street. "Our faith calls on us to use our gifts to help all people, advancing equity and justice in the here and now — and hopefully for generations to come. We are grateful to be able to make these strategic investments in the work of our remarkable grantee partners, and in work that will have a direct impact on people's lives."
Thirty-two grants, totaling more than $8 million, are going to organizations focused on addressing the needs of those affected by the affordable housing crisis and homelessness in NYC. The grants will support a range of initiatives, including the development of affordable housing, the provision of emergency shelter and supportive services for those experiencing homelessness, and research and advocacy efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of the housing crisis.
"Our commitment to our neighbors in NYC and the faith community runs deep," said Beatriz de la Torre, Trinity's Chief Philanthropy Officer. "We are dedicated to working alongside community-based organizations, faith leaders, and cross-sector partners to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing, mental health resources, and the support they need to thrive."
Trinity understands that breaking the cycle of homelessness requires helping families secure and maintain permanent housing. To support this goal, Trinity made a series of grants to increase the capacity of organizations providing legal services to low-income households. For example, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation received $200,000 to provide legal services that help tenants remain in their homes and help homeowners avoid foreclosure.
"The pandemic and its aftermath have laid bare the precariousness of stable housing for many low-income New Yorkers," said Jessica Rose, Executive Director, Brooklyn Legal Services Corp. "Support from Trinity will enable Brooklyn Legal Services to broaden and deepen our legal services to assist marginalized and low-income tenants and homeowners seek justice and to maintain housing stability for themselves and their families."
Trinity is also continuing its commitment to supporting the more than 76,000 asylum seekers that have arrived in NYC since last spring. A new $300,000 grant to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, working with New York Disaster Interfaith Services, will help 50 houses of worship across the city provide temporary shelter for 950 asylum seekers. Trinity's grant will specifically enable the construction of showers at the faith-based facilities participating in the Faith Beds program.
"NYC's faith-based community has been on the forefront of helping our newest New Yorkers feel welcomed, experience connection and access the resources needed to navigate life in a new place," said Marcella Tillett, Executive Director, Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. "We are thankful to Trinity for their generosity and steadfast partnership on our Asylum Seeker Relief Fund, supporting this innovative, infrastructure-building program that enables houses of worship to respond to the current humanitarian need and provides permanent capacity to do so in the future."
As Trinity continues to work toward mitigating mental health issues exacerbated by the pandemic, more than a million dollars in this grants cycle will go to organizations prioritizing mental health and youth in their work. Children's Rights received $200,000 and will use the money to improve access to critical mental and behavioral health services for NYC children. A $600,000 multi-year grant to The Brotherhood Sister Sol (BroSis) will support the organization's mission to provide comprehensive support services including long-term mental health services to youth, ages 8-22.
"BroSis is deeply appreciative of the partnership with and support of Trinity Church," said Khary Lazarre-White, Executive Director and co-founder, The Brotherhood Sister Sol. "BroSis is a social justice youth development organization that works in the interconnected areas of educating, organizing for equity, and training to advance justice. These funds will allow us to continue to grow our programs and services while helping young people find and hone their voices as they become changemakers and organizers."
Trinity's national and global reach remains an important part of its mission, with more than $6 million going to faith-based organizations in the U.S. and Anglican partners internationally in support of mission real estate development and leadership development. These grants will ensure the continuing education of faith leaders and build financial capacity for Anglican dioceses in sub-Saharan Africa to advance their ministry, with a focus on rapidly growing regions and investments that support economic mobility for women and children.
Awards include a $750,000 grant to the Anglican Alliance to develop Anglican leaders' ability to support asset-based community development; a $600,000 grant to the Pastoral Leadership Institute at Christ Church Cranbrook; a $150,000 grant to expand the medical facility operated by The Anglican Diocese of Makamba with pediatric and maternal care; and a $100,000 grant to help The Anglican Diocese of Central Zimbabwe build a solar power plant.
Once complete, these projects will have a direct social impact: creating new affordable housing, providing microcredit and medical services for women, supporting agriculture and tourism, expanding clean energy infrastructure, and developing faith leaders who are significant supporters of their community members' well-being.
This week, Trinity also announced its first Neighborhood Support grant application period, open from June 12 to July 12, to support wraparound services, newly arrived asylum seekers, youth, mental health and emotional well-being, and the arts in Lower Manhattan.
"Trinity recognizes that addressing these issues requires a collaborative effort, and we're committed to working alongside government agencies, community organizations, faith leaders, and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions to these challenges," added de la Torre. "The grants announced today are just one part of Trinity's ongoing commitment to supporting the communities it serves and making a positive impact in the world."
For the list of grantees so far this year, visit trinitywallstreet.org.
About Trinity Church Wall Street:
Trinity Church Wall Street is a vibrant and growing Episcopal parish of more than 1,600 members. Over the past 325 years, Trinity has been guided by its mission to share God's love for all people. Trinity's programs seek to offer shared encounters with the holy, to cultivate compassion, to deepen knowledge and spiritual practices, to work for justice rooted in essential human dignity, to provide places of solace and healing, and to inspire a desire in all people to be conscientious contributors to the life of New York City and the world. More than 20 worship services are offered every week online and at historic Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel, the cornerstones of the parish's community life, worship, and mission.
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Original Source: Trinity Church Wall Street Awards More Than $22 Million in Grants to Non-Profit Organizations, Addressing Housing Insecurity and Mental Health Needs in NYC and Beyond
