Trinity Awards Grants Addressing Housing Insecurity and Mental Health Needs
NEW YORK, June 15, 2023 - Trinity Church Wall Street has announced its latest grant awards, including more than $22 million to 111 nonprofit organizations in New York City, the United States, and abroad. Most of the grants are aimed at addressing 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 A. 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 New York City. 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 New York City 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. “Support from Trinity Church Wall Street 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 New York City 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...