Community Outreach

Dinkins Center for Equity

From holding parent-led forums on neighborhood health and safety to our ongoing collaborations with community partners, the Dinkins Center for Equity advocates for care, safety, justice, hope, and joy for all. Recent parent-driven work with Columbia University on the TailorVis project will make public health information accessible for our community, and ABC will continue to make working with local officials and police on public safety a top priority.

Teen in hoodie.

Location

1841 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10035

Program schedule

Contact Jessica Casanova for more information on the current Dinkins Center for Equity schedule.

How to apply

All are welcome! We are an open door to the community. Contact Jessica Casanova for more information about our current programming.

Volunteer playing with a boy.

Program Information

Parent hub classes: On select weekday mornings and afternoons, ABC offers classes to parents of children enrolled in our programs. Recent offerings include English as a second language, computer and typing skills, pottery, and therapeutic art.

Parenting classes: Parenting Journey and Circle of Security classes in both English and Spanish are offered throughout the year.

Walking groups: On Fridays in the summer, ABC leads inter-generational walking groups in East Harlem to promote exercise, healthy habits, and mental health.

Contact Information

Program Director: Jessica Casanova, jcasanova@a-b-c.org, 646 459 6175

Bunny’s Garden

Bunny’s Garden provides children and families with an urban oasis in which to grow their own food, learn about healthy eating habits, and explore the wonder of nature. Recent improvements to the garden’s composting system mean all the food scraps from ABC’s kitchen can be converted to fresh soil to grow fresh produce to take back to the kitchen and classroom as part of a new farm to table initiative.

Children in garden

Location

236-242 East 124th Street, New York, NY 10035

How to apply

To volunteer at Bunny’s Garden, head to our volunteer page to find out more or send an email to our garden team here.

Contact Information

Group Leader: Kimberly Bello, kbello@a-b-c.org

Program Director: Jessica Casanova, jcasanova@a-b-c.org, 646 459 6175

Supportive Housing

ABC’s supportive housing program offers families with children living with HIV/AIDS bright, sunny, permanent apartments along with critical supportive services. By combining a NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development forgivable loan and a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant, the ABC supportive housing program created the first replicable model for permanent, supportive housing for homeless families living with HIV/AIDS. Within these walls, families find refuge and can rebuild their lives with dignity, appropriate medical care, and the hope of a brighter future.

Location

318 East 116th Street, New York NY 10029

Children in house.

Program Information

ABC provides supportive housing for formerly homeless families living with HIV and AIDS. These families live in 1-and 2- bedroom apartments with eat-in kitchens and receive critical support services, such as case management, psychiatric services, and access to the Keith Haring School. In addition to providing personalized support and case management, the program promotes school attendance and community integration.

Contact Information

Building Manager: Lourdes Rodriguez, lrodriguez@a-b-c.org, 212 426 3960 x3

Maintenance Worker: Arold Dorsinvil, adorsinvil@a-b-c.org

Newest New Yorkers

ABC has provided essential services, support, and programming to asylum-seeking children and families for decades and was there to meet the first buses as they arrived in New York City in 2022. We have developed strong relationships with shelters as well as our capacity to provide the services that new arrivals in New York City need to feel at home – including early childhood education, food and essential supplies, trauma-informed mental health care, parenting support, and legal resources.

A boy turning to kiss his mother on the cheek.

Locations

NYMA 32 Shelter: 6 W 32nd Street, New York, NY 10001

Casa 46 Shelter: 129 W 46th Street, New York, NY 10036

Parent Hub at Echo Park: 1841 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10035

Program schedule

Saturdays, 9am to 1pm at NYMA 32 Shelter

Saturdays, 2pm to 6pm at Casa 46 Shelter

Weekday evenings as required at either of the shelters above

Three boys looking at and touching a globe.

Program Information

ABC offers a range of programs for asylum seeker families in shelters, which include:

  • Casework counseling and emotional support

  • Referrals to preventive, counseling, and legal services

  • Parenting workshops, groups, and special events

At our multi-purpose family center in East Harlem, we offer an open door to families in need and provide classes for parents.

Our Impact

900

turkeys were distributed to families in need and 849 community surveys were completed at ABC’s annual Turkey Day

15

tenants in 8 households receive dedicated support from an on-site caseworker

90%

of the tenants would recommend the housing program to a friend