During this public health crisis, Odyssey House remains committed to serving the most vulnerable people in New York City. Our treatment and supportive housing programs are open and running essential services to help New Yorkers in need to overcome drug and alcohol abuse, improve their physical and mental health, and live independently in the community.
As we commit to protecting and serving our clients at this challenging time, we are also committed to providing a safe and supportive work environment for our staff. We are closely monitoring and following guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New York State and City health officials.
To meet this challenge, we have changed the ways we operate as an organization:
- adapting treatment programs to reduce transmission (e.g., sanitizing regularly, limiting visits and visitors, instituting social distancing, handwashing, and health checks);
- providing virtual services for community-based outpatient and recovery center clients;
- instituting remote capabilities for administrative and financial staff;
- keeping the people we serve informed with the latest health information; and,
- expeditiously updating clients and staff with changes to health and safety procedures.
We are also redeploying staff and resources to program sites where they are needed most to ensure staff coverage and supplies (including food and cleaning products) are accessible to the 1,000 people in our care each day.
Our government and health leaders tell us that this is the beginning of an extended crisis that will significantly stress our health and economic resources. Now more than ever, we need to remember the needs of the most vulnerable who are at increased risk of negative health and social suffering.
As New Yorkers, we have proven over and again that we can come together and meet challenges. We thank you for your compassion, resolve, and ongoing support. If you can, please make an online donation to help us keep vulnerable New Yorkers safe and healthy.