The Harlem Community
Relief Fund
2020, A Retrospective
What A Year!
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About Us
Since 1896, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce has served Harlem and Upper Manhattan. Harlem is the best known internationally diverse community in America.
Our Chamber is working tirelessly through the Covid-19 Pandemic in concert with The City College of New York, Columbia University, the NAACP, and other renowned organizations, institutions, and individuals to provide much needed support and services. The mission of our Community Fund is to support the Greater Harlem community by providing services for our senior citizens, local small businesses, food banks, the homeless, arts & cultural not-for-profits, and families in need.
Pictured (L-R): New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, First Lady Chirlane McCray, and Lloyd A. Williams, President & CEO of The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce.
We are dramatically saddened that thousands of our extended families of all ages have been sequestered, hospitalized, and unfortunately hundreds have passed away including some of our relatives, staff, members and partners. GOD BLESS THEM ALL.
In The News
The New York Post
NYC soup kitchens are now serving grad students, actors, and musicians.
Black Noir NYC
GHCC is at the Forefront to Feed Harlemnites During the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Community Works NYC
Harlem is . . . HEALING: Celebrating Heroes of the Pandemic Honors GHCC’s Winston Majette.
Please Support Harlem Now!
Recognizing that communities of color are two to three times more likely to be impacted by COVID-19, we are committed to ensuring that HARLEM and communities of color, nationwide and beyond, rebound from the pandemic to become stronger than before.
Our Progress
We at The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce can’t thank you enough for taking time to support Harlem during this challenging COVID-19 pandemic by contributing to our GoFundMe campaign, SUPPORT HARLEM NOW!
Below, please find some of the ways that your contribution has been utilized to assist those in need.
Community Food Initiatives
Thirty days ago, we began a daily food distribution in partnership with ReThink Food NYC and Salem United Methodist Church located at Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard & West 129th St. to feed seniors, families, and homeless persons. Since we began this community food initiative, we have far exceeded the 500 meals originally provided and now serve over 2,200 persons daily.
The New York Post applauded our efforts in their April 19th article:
“NYC soup kitchens are now serving grad students, actors, and musicians.”
Brittany, a 35-year-old Ph.D. candidate at Teachers College at Columbia University, who declined to give her full name, says she started visiting food services at Salem United Methodist Church in Harlem a few weeks ago after her partner lost his bartending job. “I’ve been going two or three times a week for lunch,” she said. “The fresh air makes it seem a little less scary.”
Manna’s, Sylvia’s, Ponty Bistro, Melba’s, and a number of other Harlem restaurants are preparing meals for first responders including NYPD officers, and the medical and support staff at Harlem Hospital Center.
We immediately recognized that the demand for food was great and recently expanded our partnerships to include West Harlem Group Assistance, Cabot Creamery, Hormel Foods, and New York Road Runners who are donating pre-packaged food and pantry items which will be distributed to residents of our neighborhood affordable housing complexes at one of The Chamber’s storefronts on West 135th Street.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
In partnership with the President of The City College of New York, we have distributed Personal Protection Equipment (gloves, gowns, and masks) to Harlem Hospital Center.
Technology
The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Silicon Harlem is responding to the Coronavirus pandemic by working to close the technology gap in Upper Manhattan. The emphasis is on seniors, students, shelters, and hospitals where communication tools are needed most. The effort is focused on devices, connectivity, and digital literacy. Based on new technologies deployed by Silicon Harlem, over 1300 vulnerable households now have internet access. The effort has also allowed us to provide some households with devices. In addition to supporting the fundraiser, we encourage you to donate (used or new) devices (tablets/computers) for distribution to many of our neighbors who are unable to afford these critical communication tools.
Media & Promotions
To ensure that our communities are well informed, The Chamber, along with experts from Columbia University, The City College of New York, hospitals, civic and cultural groups, and government agencies, are providing daily content on a variety of topics for on-air personalities at WBLS-FM, WLIB-AM, and WHCR-FM (The City College of New York) to keep listeners informed about the latest Coronavirus news as it relates to important health, business, and community updates. We are providing articles, editorials, and ads to our print partners including NY Christian Times, NY Amsterdam News, NY Carib News, Positive Community Magazine, and Schneps Media.
