Resources

These resources aim to assist volunteers, coordinators, individuals and families impacted by Hurricane Sandy. They include important safety information for volunteers, coordinators and anyone involved in the cleanup effort. Many are fliers that can be printed by coordinators to hand out to volunteers and individuals in impacted areas.

Before undertaking any projects, please review our safety information:

  1. Safety notice for unskilled/non-trade volunteers regarding demolition and clean-up
  2. Guidelines from the New York City Committee for Occupational Safety and Health Online

Topics

Clean-up

Disaster Assistance

Document Recovery

  • Document Recovery

    One of the dire consequences of any disaster for many people is the loss of important documents. Often, such documents are needed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state emergency services in order to process assistance applications for those who suffered losses or damage to their homes and belongings.

Education

  • Bike Ready

    Framing cyclists’ response in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Green Map System’s Bike Ready has become a springboard for local preparedness. Along with the 4-minute film, in 2016, there’s an adaptable Bike Ready Organizing Guide you can download as a PDF or .Doc so you can be #BikeReady too.

    Filmed in NYC neighborhoods impacted by 2012’s devastating storm, Bike Ready turns powerful footage into a resource for organizing bicyclists for emergency response. Scenes include getting around when the subway and gas stations are closed, mutual aid bike repair, cyclists delivering hundreds of pounds of relief supplies and using pedal power to generate the electricity needed to recharge phones.

    With its solutionary approach to addressing the ‘new normal’, this video and guide are designed to help communities get organized. Watch it with fellow cyclists and start planning! Produced by Green Map System and directed by Peter Shapiro with support from Occupy Sandy Relief, the volunteers of Time’s Up, and LES Ready. More about this readiness and resiliency-building project will be added to this page, GreenMap.org/bikeready.

    Now Available! Chinese, Spanish and Japanese versions, thanks to LES Ready for supporting the translation! Watch full screen.

             

  • Hurricane Sandy Educational Rights

    Helpline for questions about school-related issues : 800-388-2014

FEMA

Financial Assistance

Funding

  • Community Grant Rebuilding Program

    The Brooklyn Recovery Fund’s grant program was established to support physical improvements to homes and buildings located in Brooklyn’s coastal communities. A limited number of grants are available, up to $200,000 per impacted community (Red Hook, the Coney Island peninsula, Sheepshead Bay, Canarsie, and Gerritsen Beach). Deadline to apply is Monday, February 4, 2013.

  • Recovery Funds

    Listing of funding for Sandy relief efforts.

  • Community Grants

    Through our Community Grants, Citizens Committee awards micro-grants of $500 to $3,000 to resident-led groups to work on community and school improvement projects throughout the city. We prioritize groups based in low income neighborhoods and Title I public schools. Our next application deadline is January 31, 2013.

  • The Neighborhood Recovery Fund (NRF)

    An emergency fund that was created to provide financial assistance to homeowners affected by Hurricane Sandy.

  • Resources for Small Business Owners

    Collection of resources for small business owners from FEMA.

  • NYC Grants for Collaborative Community Projects

    The UnityNYC Grant Awards will award grants up to $3,000 to faith-based or neighborhood-based groups that collaborate on community projects. Deadline to apply is January 31, 2013.

  • Occupy Sandy Relief Fund

  • ModestNeeds.org Hurricane Relief Grants

    ModestNeeds.org Hurricane Relief grant is limited to $1,500.00 per household.

Housing

Job Opportunities

Medical

Mental Health

  • Emotional Support Hotline

    The Samaritans of NYC provide a free, 24-hour, confidential hotline for anyone depressed, overwhelmed, anxious, or suicidal. (212) 673-3000

  • TherapySafetyNet

    Licensed psychologists and social workers offering very low-fee therapy to those who suffered losses from Sandy: 617-850-5408

Mutual Aid

  • Bike Ready

    Framing cyclists’ response in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Green Map System’s Bike Ready has become a springboard for local preparedness. Along with the 4-minute film, in 2016, there’s an adaptable Bike Ready Organizing Guide you can download as a PDF or .Doc so you can be #BikeReady too.

    Filmed in NYC neighborhoods impacted by 2012’s devastating storm, Bike Ready turns powerful footage into a resource for organizing bicyclists for emergency response. Scenes include getting around when the subway and gas stations are closed, mutual aid bike repair, cyclists delivering hundreds of pounds of relief supplies and using pedal power to generate the electricity needed to recharge phones.

    With its solutionary approach to addressing the ‘new normal’, this video and guide are designed to help communities get organized. Watch it with fellow cyclists and start planning! Produced by Green Map System and directed by Peter Shapiro with support from Occupy Sandy Relief, the volunteers of Time’s Up, and LES Ready. More about this readiness and resiliency-building project will be added to this page, GreenMap.org/bikeready.

    Now Available! Chinese, Spanish and Japanese versions, thanks to LES Ready for supporting the translation! Watch full screen.

             

  • Mediation Services from New York Peace Institute

    Sandy related dispute? Conflict with a landlord, insurance adjuster, family member, or neighbor? Mediation is a FREE, SAFE, and PRIVATE way to resolve Sandy-related conflicts. Mediators guide participants through a series of problem-solving steps so they can find their own solutions. Mediators do not make decisions, but rather help the parties to share their viewpoints and generate and evaluate options. Contact Alan Gross, Ph.D — agross@nypeace.org / (917) 359-0444

  • OccupySMS

    Connects people seeking and offering aid, based on their specific location and needs, in areas without power or Internet

    • To request aid, text SANDY to 69866
    • To offer aid, text MUTUALAID to 69866

Power

  • Free Energy Efficiency Program

    New York State has given EmPower NY extra funding to expand its program to eligible homeowners who experienced flooding during Sandy.

    Empower New York provides no-cost energy efficiency solutions for income-eligible New Yorkers

    Energy efficiency measures such as

    • Insulation, draft reduction, and upgraded appliances and lighting—at no cost to you
    • Peace of mind that comes with keeping more money in your own pocket, to spend on what matters most to you
    • A home that’s warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer
    • Health and safety checks of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and more

    Trained auditors are already to assessing homes to determine applicable measures. Participants could either complete the application and mail or email it to Syracuse (address below) OR simply call 1-800-263-0960 to request a Storm Relief application.

    Apply Fact Sheet

  • Electricity

    Time Warner Cable is supplying free generator power at two stations in the Rockaways: 204th St / Rockaway Point Blvd and Beach 22nd / Mott Ave. They respond quickly to tweets at @TWCable_NYC.

Resources for Immigrants

Tenants and Homeowner Rights

Transportation

  • Bike Ready

    Framing cyclists’ response in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Green Map System’s Bike Ready has become a springboard for local preparedness. Along with the 4-minute film, in 2016, there’s an adaptable Bike Ready Organizing Guide you can download as a PDF or .Doc so you can be #BikeReady too.

    Filmed in NYC neighborhoods impacted by 2012’s devastating storm, Bike Ready turns powerful footage into a resource for organizing bicyclists for emergency response. Scenes include getting around when the subway and gas stations are closed, mutual aid bike repair, cyclists delivering hundreds of pounds of relief supplies and using pedal power to generate the electricity needed to recharge phones.

    With its solutionary approach to addressing the ‘new normal’, this video and guide are designed to help communities get organized. Watch it with fellow cyclists and start planning! Produced by Green Map System and directed by Peter Shapiro with support from Occupy Sandy Relief, the volunteers of Time’s Up, and LES Ready. More about this readiness and resiliency-building project will be added to this page, GreenMap.org/bikeready.

    Now Available! Chinese, Spanish and Japanese versions, thanks to LES Ready for supporting the translation! Watch full screen.