Gerritsen Beach

Red Cross gives Sandy-Related $100,000 grant to Children’s Health Fund

December 5, 2013 Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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The American Red Cross has awarded a $100,000 grant to Children’s Health Fund to support mental health services for children and families affected by Superstorm Sandy in Brooklyn.

The funding will be used to help 530 children and families in Gerritsen Beach with Sandy-related mental health challenges to build the coping skills necessary to more fully recover.

“The trauma of Hurricane Sandy is still palpable in Gerritsen Beach,” said Dr. Delaney Gracy, chief medical officer, Children’s Health Fund. “Many of the community’s children are processing the memory of their own frightening experiences while trying to cope with the dislocation of their family and friends, the loss of once valued possessions, and the exhausting demands of rebuilding.”

Emotional support is a major element in recovery, and Superstorm Sandy’s widespread devastation property by Sandy left immediate and lasting emotional needs for children and families affected by the storm.

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“Children were affected by Superstorm Sandy in ways that people often overlook, and this grant will help support the youth and families of Gerritsen Beach in their recovery,” said Josh Lockwood, CEO, Red Cross of Greater New York Region.

State Sen. Martin Golden, who represents Gerritsen Beach, was pleased about Children’s Health Fund’s collaboration with the Red Cross.

“More than one year after Superstorm Sandy devastated our community, many people are still struggling. These hardships are felt even more during the holidays and the cold weather,” Golden said.   “Thankfully programs like The Children’s Health Fund are still up and running in Gerritsen Beach to continue to assist those effected by the storm.  I want to thank the Red Cross for securing this grant to allow the Children’s Health Fund to continue to help those in need.”

Superstorm Sandy relief has been the largest U.S. operation by the Red Cross in more than five years. Thanks to the public’s generous support, the Red Cross has received $308 million in donations for Sandy emergency relief and recovery efforts. As of Sept. 30, the Red Cross has spent or committed $280 million, nearly 90 percent of the donated funds.

Children’s Health Fund was created in in 1987 to help kids in New York City’s homelss shelter. It was founded by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician/child advocate Irwin Redlener, M.D.  Today, Children’s Health Fund has 50 mobile clinics serving hundreds of locations across the country.


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