Here at PhotoShelter, we love New York. This company was born in New York City and raised in Union Square. Right now, our new home in the Financial District sits empty, as our team joins the rest of the tri-state area in staying home and staying safe.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been inspired and humbled by our clients’ responses to this crisis.
Perhaps the most visible is the office of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. As COVID-19 has swept the globe, Cuomo has become the face of crisis management, with people across the country – and across party lines – tuning into his daily press conferences. Every day on Instagram, he and his team are sharing vital information and images of hope.
The New York state office of the governor has worked with PhotoShelter for over a decade to document, share and preserve moments in the state’s history. Right now, this team is moving hundreds of images through our system every day – and we couldn’t be prouder to support them in this moment.
Meanwhile, with less national attention and just as much heart, organizations across the city are mobilizing to help their fellow New Yorkers.
A COVID-19 task force at NYU Tandon School of Engineering is making protective personal equipment for healthcare professionals. So far, NYU has donated over 100,000 face masks, gloves, gowns and face shields to NYC hospitals and healthcare workers. Aircompany, one of the startups in NYU’s Tandon Urban Future Lab, has used their unique technology for making vodka to make hand sanitizer instead.
New York Cares is activating their volunteer community to feed hundreds of families, homebound seniors and other vulnerable New Yorkers. They’re even exploring remote volunteer opportunities to allow more people to get involved.
Children’s Aid is continuing to support young people in New York City with the unwavering services they’ve provided for over 165 years. Their clinics remain open and ready to test children for COVID-19.
When crises emerge, our city’s low-income communities suffer most. Children’s Aid is there to respond to emerging needs. Last week our Early Childhood team jumped into action and began assembling care packages for the community. https://t.co/6cC6sFW62y pic.twitter.com/ZNk259xo9S
— Children’s Aid (@ChildrensAidNYC) March 25, 2020
Bowery Mission, which has weathered the 1918 flu pandemic, the Great Depression, Hurricane Sandy and many other moments of crisis since it was founded in the 1870s, is serving hundreds of to-go meals every day. They’re providing showers, clothing and shelter for people in need. And they’re calling on all New Yorkers to remember those in need during this crisis, saying on Instagram, “As most New Yorkers are staying home, others do not have a home at all.”
We are incredibly grateful to work with all of these incredible organizations – along with countless others – who are working to serve our community every day. Thank you to all of you for doing your part to help others, to be kind and to be strong during this moment. We’re proud to be a part of this community.
