One Year On, Hurricane Sandy Rebulding Continues
It’s been a year since our New York waterways rose up and went to places they had never gone before, including flooding the basements in three of our buildings. Altogether nine Community Access buildings went without heat and power for several long days and nights after the Con Ed substation in the East Village exploded.
The response to our call for help was tremendous. Friends donated money. Volunteers brought food, blankets and other provisions. Staff worked around the clock to ensure vulnerable tenants were safe, as warm as possible, and had access to food, water and flashlights. Fortunately, none of our tenants suffered substantial harm as a result of the storm, and we witnessed the best of our community in action. Such was the generosity that we were able to share food and supplies with other community members in the neighborhood who were in need.
I am happy to report that the rebuilding of our most heavily damaged property, Gouverneur Court, home to 123 tenants, is nearly complete. In the next month or so, tenants will again have access to a dining room, computer lab, gym, and other areas damaged by the storm. A new elevator at another site nearby will also be running soon. Because we rebuilt to higher standards, insurance proceeds only covered about two-thirds of what we needed. Thankfully, generous donors and partners stepped up to help us fill the gap. We plan to host a celebration early in 2014, our 40th anniversary year, to thank all those who helped Community Access after the storm.
Recovery and resilience are what Community Access is all about. We believe that with the right supports, people can recover from mental illness and lead lives of their own choosing in the community. Our housing and support services sustain them in their efforts.
Thank you for being part of our Sandy recovery and for making recovery possible for those who need it most. We are grateful for your support and partnership.
