John, 

During these precarious times, New Yorkers across the state are coming together to find big and small ways to support our neighbors left out of federal COVID-19 relief efforts. These small acts have the power to effect big changes.

Like, for example, when one of our immigrant community-members—let’s call her Marisol—traveled two hours to pick up emergency cash support from one of our members, who are distributing funds because our federal government chose to intentionally exclude our immigrant neighbors on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response. Marisol traveled on foot, buses and subways for what she thought would be a $50 prepaid card, but when she saw that its value was $500, she broke down in tears. 

Many of our immigrant community members and essential workers are piecing together their lives with shoe-string and glue. $500 means that Marisol can buy food for her family for much longer than she initially expected and maybe even put some money towards other essential expenses like utilities and rent. It’s your generosity that made it possible for us to roll out this program offering hundreds of prepaid gift cards to our immigrant community members who continue to struggle to meet basic needs without any governmental support. To date, we’ve given out $1 million to New Yorkers like Marisol who are struggling to put food on the table every day. 

But today, you can help us make those dollars go further. 

Through the month of June, the Brooklyn Community Foundation is matching all donations made to our COVID-19 direct cash assistance program. Donate today to double your impact and to lend a helping hand to immigrants left behind by our government!

We know that cash assistance during times of hardship is a small gesture —whether from the government or friends or family or strangers—and a means of providing temporary relief. Which is why we will continue to fight for a city, a state and country that values ALL families and helps us all survive and thrive. This means making sure everyone, no matter what they look like or where they come from, can contribute to our economy and society and still be there to care for their families.

We will not let fear-mongering and scapegoating deter us from building a future that allows ALL families to thrive. In good times and times of tumult, each of us can continue to support our neighbors, protect those less fortunate than us and act with compassion and fierce, revolutionary love.

In solidarity, 


Steve Choi 
Executive Director