PHILANTHROPY
NYC’s Hidden Homeless And The Healthcare Heroes that Serve them Everyday By Hannah Stein, Executive Director, The Floating Hospital Foundation Photographs by David Flores
The Floating Hospital (TFH) exists to fulfill the most basic and critical
of affordable living spaces. Many of the families are led by young
healthcare needs of thousands of families in New York City that live
women who have suffered from domestic violence, with the children
without homes, in shelters, domestic violence safe houses, and in
as witness, or worse.
temporary residency hotels. These families exist not on the fringes
This free healthcare is provided by a special group of people. The
of society, but within and among all of us—the children attend public
Floating Hospital provides medical, dental, and mental healthcare and
school and the parents work, yearn for their children’s health, safety
specialty services including cardiology, child psychiatry, podiatry and
and future, and dream of someday not being homeless.
health education to one-quarter of NYC’s family homeless population
Families, mainly women and children, represent the largest con-
every year at our Long Island City clinic and at a series of shelter-based
centration of New York City’s homeless population. Roughly 46,000
clinics throughout the city. This free healthcare is provided by a special
adults and children in families will sleep in city shelters tonight accord-
group of people. Shown here are just a few of the many dedicated
ing to New York City’s own calculations. Most people, however, largely
doctors, nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, educators, outreach workers
believe that homelessness is represented by what is seen—the single
and many others that make The Floating Hospital a special home, a
men and women on the street. The families in shelters, the hidden
safe space and a way to get healthy and stay healthy for all of our
homeless, are New York City’s greatest tragedy. They are priced out
families. These men and women are the heart of our work. ¨
Freddy Perez Health Educator “We are all very emotionally there. We are aware of what we need to do in serving our people. We know we are all in the same boat, together….I wake up every day thinking about what I can do to help people today.”
Shani Andre, MD Vice President and Chief Medical Officer “Families need a consistent source of primary care, and The Floating Hospital will follow them where ever they go. We provide transient families who are in homeless shelters or domestic violence shelters a source of constant care.”
Ivan Romero Director of Shelter Outreach “Every day brings new challenges and an opportunity to make a mother feel safe and to put a smile on a child’s face.”
Carol Jackson Trustee “I loved [The Floating Hospital] as a kid, and now I work hard for them as an adult. I know what it means to have good health services. I come from humble beginnings. But I am the woman who I am today thanks to them. I’m very proud to be affiliated with them and part of the Hospital.”
Sarajane Brittis, PHD Organizational Development Project Manager “Hearing the story of someone going through a rough time, just being there to listen gives them hope…This is still a place where you can walk in and see people hugging each other.”
In early June, The Floating Hospital hosted its 9th Annual Summer Soiree—a party that was more than just a party. We raised precious funds to provide free healthcare to homeless families. You can be part of this important cause by donating to: www.thefloatinghospital.org/9th-annual-summer-soiree-donation/ 22
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
