Staten Island Red Cross Searching For Shelter
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The American Red Cross has helped find housing for residents left homeless after emergencies for well over 100 years; now it's the Staten Island Chapter that finds itself searching for shelter.
Over the weekend, the chapter moved out of its home at the Joan & Allan Bernikow Jewish Community Center in Sea View because it could no longer afford the rent.
The chapter moved to the community center a little over a year ago. It was previously stationed on Richmond Avenue in Graniteville.
Greater New York spokeswoman Marianne Darlak said they just lost an anticipated $1 million in city funding.
"We have been experiencing some financial weakness as have all the not-for-profits," Darlak said.
Denise Bloise, community director for Staten Island/Brooklyn, says the chapter would need an office with a few cubicles, closet space for disaster supplies, telephone and data hookups, a restroom and up to three parking spaces.
For now, an emergency response vehicle and a van are parked at Sea View Hopsital Rehabilitation Center and Home and a jeep and a box truck containing disaster supplies are still at the community center.
"The Red Cross is there to help the community, however, we also need the community to support us," Darlak said.
To donate office space or to learn about volunteer opportunities visit www.nyredcross.org.
