Housing Works

Last updated

Housing Works
Formation1990
FoundersKeith Cylar, Charles King, Eric Sawyer and Virginia Shubert
Type NGO
PurposeEnd homelessness and AIDS
Website housingworks.org

Housing Works is a New York City-based non-profit fighting AIDS and homelessness. The charity is well known for its entrepreneurial businesses including a chain of thrift shops, which supports efforts to end AIDS and homelessness where they are based. They are also known for their social justice activism. As of March 2017, the organization has served 30,000 clients. [1]

Contents

In 1990, four members of the AIDS activist group ACT UP—Keith Cylar, Charles King, Eric Sawyer and Virginia Shubert—decided to dedicate themselves to serving one of New York City’s then-most neglected populations: the tens of thousands of homeless men, women, and children in the city living with HIV and AIDS.[ citation needed ] The activists called their new group Housing Works because they believed that stable housing was the key to helping HIV-positive people live healthy and fulfilling lives and to prevent the further spread of the virus. [2]

Operations

The organization runs a chain of thrift shops, a bookstore café, and a dispensary [3] as social enterprises to support their work and lower dependence on grants and donations. They also provide health care, advocacy, job training, reentry services, harm reduction services including syringe exchange services, medication for opioid use disorder, mental health counseling, adult day health care, and legal aid support. The group has satellite offices in Albany, New York, Brooklyn, New York, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and New Orleans.

Bookstore Cafe & bar

Housing Works Cafe and Bookstore in SoHo, New York City HousingWorksCafe-April2015.jpg
Housing Works Cafe and Bookstore in SoHo, New York City

Founded in 1994 and located in Soho on Crosby Street, the bookstore cafe [4] is a successful entrepreneurial business raising money to support the Housing Works mission. Run primarily by a team of specially-trained volunteers, the bookstore is funded entirely by donations, and resells both in the retail space and online. Free and ticketed events [5] occur throughout the week, and the space is available for privately-rented parties, lectures, and is a popular wedding destination. Events range from story time and sing-a-long for babies, a middle-grade book group, [6] storytelling, trivia, screenings, activist talks, comedy, music, and performance (artists include Iron and Wine, [7] Bjork, The Black Keys, Conor Oberst, and others), and many literary events celebrating established writers and new talent. The venue hosts twice-monthly editions of The Moth StorySLAM. The Cafe and bar sells food, hot and cold drinks, and is licensed to sell alcohol. The space has been featured in numerous movies and TV episodes, most recently Law & Order SVU .[ citation needed ]

Thrift shops

Housing Works is well-known to New Yorkers for its chain of upscale thrift shops. The New York Times has mentioned the shops in its neighborhood reviews. [8] Housing Works Thrift Shop is featured in Seinfeld episode 173, "The Bookstore". George is forced to buy a book from Brentano's Bookstore because he took it in the restroom. He then tries to donate it to Housing Works Thrift Shop and claim a $200 tax write off but the clerk at the thrift shop used to work for Brentano's so she recognizes the book has been flagged that it has been in the restroom and runs him out of the store.

Cannabis dispensary

Housing Works opened New York City and New York State's first legal recreational dispensary on December 29, 2022, with the proceeds funding Housing Works' larger mission combating homelessness and AIDS. [9] Commenters and lawmakers have questioned the propriety of a homelessness and anti-AIDS non-profit funding its activities through drug sales. [10] Housing Works also became the first recreational dispensary in New York to offer home delivery of cannabis products. [11]

Haiti earthquake relief

In early 2010, Housing Works became involved in providing assistance to victims of Haiti's earthquake, especially those living with HIV/AIDS, by re-building three health clinics. [12] [13] [14] Housing Works CEO Charles King auctioned off his trademark pony tail, and one bidder was Evangelical preacher Rick Warren. [12] [14] When Housing Works relief workers were forced to "abandon eight carry on bags filled with relief supplies" due to high fees, Delta Air Lines agreed to ship the supplies for free. [13]

Advocacy

Housing Works is involved in advocating for health care reform and affordable housing. [15]

In October 2019, Housing Works organized a mass demonstration outside of the Supreme Court in support of LGBTQ civil rights, resulting in over 100 activists being arrested. [16]

Controversies

Union busting

In late 2019 and into 2020, Housing Works leadership began engaging in what many progressive leaders and labor organizations classify as union busting after the staff began a worker-led unionization effort to address a host of issues (such as workplace safety, benefits, and a lack of a living wage for many workers while some of the organization's executives receive six-figure salaries) impacting staff and the quality of service they provide to their community. [17] Despite their assertion that they are not anti-union, Housing Works has retained a known "union busting" firm, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, "which prides itself as keeping workplaces 'union-free,' according to its website, and has a history of cases that include working against the 1960s agricultural labor activist Cesar Chavez and defending Harvey Weinstein’s film company against a slew of sexual harassment claims." [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIV/AIDS in the United States</span> Epidemic in the United States

The AIDS epidemic, caused by HIV, found its way to the United States between the 1970s and 1980s, but was first noticed after doctors discovered clusters of Kaposi's sarcoma and pneumocystis pneumonia in homosexual men in Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco in 1981. Treatment of HIV/AIDS is primarily via the use of multiple antiretroviral drugs, and education programs to help people avoid infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Hollywood, California</span> City in California, United States

West Hollywood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Incorporated in 1984, it is home to the Sunset Strip. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, its population was 35,757.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ACT UP</span> International AIDS activism, direct action and advocacy group

AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power is an international, grassroots political group working to end the AIDS pandemic. The group works to improve the lives of people with AIDS through direct action, medical research, treatment and advocacy, and working to change legislation and public policies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Red Cross</span>

The Canadian Red Cross Society is a Canadian humanitarian charitable organization, and one of 192 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. The organization receives funding from both private donations and from Canadian government departments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Emery</span> Canadian politician (born 1958)

Marc Scott Emery is a Canadian cannabis rights activist, entrepreneur and politician. Often described as the "Prince of Pot", Emery has been a notable advocate of international cannabis policy reform, and has been active in multiple Canadian political parties at the provincial and federal levels. Emery has been jailed several times for his cannabis activism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Partners In Health</span> Non-profit health care organization

Partners In Health (PIH) is an international nonprofit public health organization founded in 1987 by Paul Farmer, Ophelia Dahl, Thomas J. White, Todd McCormack, and Jim Yong Kim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AIDS Healthcare Foundation</span> Nonprofit organization in Los Angeles

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and advocacy services. As of 2022, it operates about 400 clinics, 64 outpatient healthcare centers, 48 pharmacies, and 20 Out of the Closet thrift stores across 15 US states and 45 countries, with more than 5,000 employees, and provides care to more than 1.7 million patients. These facilities offer various services, including HIV testing, counseling, antiretroviral therapy, and other essential healthcare interventions. The organization's aim is to end the AIDS epidemic by ensuring access to quality healthcare and promoting policies that prioritize HIV prevention and treatment.

Oaksterdam is a cultural district on the north end of Downtown Oakland, California, where medical cannabis is available for purchase in cafés, clubs, and patient dispensaries. Oaksterdam is located between downtown proper, the Lakeside, and the financial district. It is roughly bordered by 14th Street on the southwest, Harrison Street on the southeast, 19th Street on the northeast, and Telegraph Avenue on the northwest. The name is a portmanteau of "Oakland" and "Amsterdam," due to the Dutch city's cannabis coffee shops and the drug policy of the Netherlands.

Howard Brown Health is a nonprofit LGBTQ healthcare and social services provider founded in 1974 and based in Chicago. It is named after Howard Junior Brown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dana Larsen</span> Canadian politician

Dana Albert Larsen is a Canadian author, businessman, philanthropist and activist for cannabis and drug policy reform. Larsen currently operates businesses and non-profit societies in Vancouver including The Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary, The Medicinal Mushroom Dispensary, The Coca Leaf Cafe, Pothead Books, and the Get Your Drugs Tested centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anne-christine d'Adesky</span> American journalist and activist

Anne-christine d'Adesky is an American author, journalist and activist of French and Haitian descent living in New York. She has maintained a deep relationship with Haiti, reporting the 2010 earthquake from a feminist angle, especially noting the impact of the disaster on the lives of teenage girls. She has also contributed to humanitarian projects in East Africa, as well as conducting extensive research into HIV/AIDS and its treatment worldwide.

Gregg Gonsalves is a global health activist, an epidemiologist, an associate professor at Yale School of Public Health and an associate professor (adjunct) at Yale Law School. As well as being co-director of Yale Law School's Global Health Justice Partnership, Gonsalves is the public health correspondent of the progressive magazine The Nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alliance for Positive Change</span>

Alliance for Positive Change - formerly known as AIDS Service Center NYC (ASCNYC) - is a community organization that helps New Yorkers living with HIV and other chronic illnesses. Founded in 1990 by CEO Sharen Duke, Alliance provides direct services to over 1,800 New Yorkers per year, while its peer education programs and community outreach initiatives reach an additional 18,000. In 2017, the organization formally changed its name to The Alliance for Positive Change. This change came as the nonprofit expanded to help more New Yorkers with substance use and mental health issues, and program participants with chronic illnesses such as hepatitis, diabetes, and heart disease.

Patrick Spencer Cox was an American HIV/AIDS activist. He was involved in ACT UP New York and the Treatment Action Group during the height of the AIDS Crisis in New York. He helped facilitate the production of protease inhibitors, which revolutionized AIDS care in the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in Philadelphia</span>

The development of LGBT culture in Philadelphia can be traced back to the early 20th century. It exists in current times as a dynamic, diverse, and philanthropically active culture with establishments and events held to promote LGBT culture and rights in Philadelphia and beyond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bailey House (charity)</span>

Bailey House is an American charity based in New York that provides supportive housing for people living with HIV and AIDS and advocates on their behalf. In addition, the program connects individuals with medical care and other health and social services. Special housing units are set aside for LGBT homeless youths, with a number of units specifically for supporting transgender youth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montrose Center</span> LGBT health organization in Houston, Texas

The Montrose Center is an LGBTQ community center located in Houston, Texas, in the United States. The organization provides an array of programs and services for the LGBTQ community, including mental and behavioral health, anti-violence services, support groups, specialized services for youth, seniors, and those living with HIV, community meeting space, and it now operates the nation's largest LGBTQ-affirming, affordable, senior living center in the nation, the Law Harrington Senior Living Center. It is a member of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. It is in Neartown (Montrose).

New York City was affected by the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s more than any other U.S. city. The AIDS epidemic has been and continues to be highly localized due to a number of complex socio-cultural factors that affect the interaction of the populous communities that inhabit New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Rhode Island</span> Legality, use and culture of cannabis in the U.S. state of Rhode Island

Cannabis in Rhode Island is legal for medical and adult use. Medical use was legalized through legislation approved in 2006, and adult use in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women Creating Change</span>

Women Creating Change is a nonprofit organization founded in 1915 by suffragettes in New York City. WCC is still active in the New York community.

References

  1. ↑ "About Us". Housing Works. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  2. ↑ "History". Housing Works. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  3. ↑ Lavacca, Katherine (December 28, 2022). "Housing Works to open 1st legal cannabis dispensary in New York state December 29" . Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Bookstore Cafe". Housing Works. October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Events". Housing Works. October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Face to Face: Middle Readers Book Group (8-12)". Housing Works. October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Live From Home with Iron & Wine". Housing Works. October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  8. ↑ Feur, Alan (January 28, 2010). "Local Stop: Greenwich Village: Venturing Out on a Handyman's Errand". New York Times . Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  9. ↑ "About Housing Works Cannabis Co" . Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  10. ↑ Klein, Melissa (January 14, 2023). "NYC's Housing Works sells weed while helping clients quit smoking tobacco". New York Post . Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  11. ↑ https://www.ny1.com/nyc/manhattan/politics/2023/03/17/legal-marijuana-delivery-arrives-in-nyc
  12. 1 2 Smith, Ben (February 4, 2010). "Warren bids on ponytail". Politico . Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  13. 1 2 "Delta Helps HIV/AIDS Haiti Relief Workers". On Top Magazine. February 2, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  14. 1 2 "AIDS activist cutting 14-inch ponytail for Haiti benefit". New York Post . February 5, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  15. ↑ Scholl, Diana (February 1, 2010). "AIDS Advocates Question Healthcare and Spending Cuts". RH Reality Check. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  16. ↑ Slisco, Aila (October 8, 2019). "More Than 100 Protesters Arrested". Newsweek.
  17. ↑ Liebson, Rebecca (October 29, 2019). "Housing Works Is Cast in Unusual Role: Corporate Overlord". The New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  18. ↑ Duggan, Kevin (November 5, 2019). "Politicians call out Housing Works for trying to halt employee unionization". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.