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June is Pride Month and with the COVID-19 pandemic upending public life in SoHo and beyond, it is no surprise that the city and the nation has preemptively cancelled the major events that would normally celebrate the occasion. As this crisis is affecting the city, and this time reserved for the LGBTQ+ community has been put on hold, the Initiative wants to use this month to highlight the work of an organization in our district that for years has been working tirelessly against the ravaging effects of a deadly virus for years: Housing Works.
Housing Works’ mission is “to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts.” Within our district, Housing Works is home to a thrift store, a bookshop and cafe, and a home health center on Crosby Street and Broadway. Housing Works is one of those rare examples of an organization that provides both social and recreational services, making it both a lifeline for some of our most vulnerable, and a destination in and of itself for books, home wares, clothes, and even a very good cup of coffee.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Housing Works has committed to remaining open. In addition to still providing clinical services, Housing Works is also running an emergency homeless shelter for people with COVID-19. Though Housing Works had to unfortunately scale back their brick and mortar operations at this time, their online shop is still open and gift cards are available to purchase for when the shop reopens.
Though we cannot say when the current pandemic will end, we know that with organizations like Housing Works working tirelessly to ensure that care and consideration are still being provided, there is hope in all this uncertainty. In the meantime, please support this wonderful institution in our district as their work has helped many who need it the most for many decades and now spanning two major viruses.
