Thanksgiving 2024 at NCS
Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving with staff, volunteers, and our wonderful clients at the NCS Residence, Louis Nine House, and Chance for Change.
NCS Clients Make a Splash at Dorney Park
This week, clients and staff across all of our program sites had the opportunity to beat the heat at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania! The expansive water park is one of the largest in the Northeast, and our clients were not disappointed by the various thrilling rides and relaxing swim time.
Temple Emanu-El does mitzvahs for NCS residents
Temple Emanu-El creates care packages for NCS residents.
Happy Holidays!
Thanksgiving 2023 at NCS
We are so lucky to have such dedicated staff and volunteers at NCS who were willing to work on Thanksgiving to provide our clients with an unforgettable holiday meal.
Grab your popcorn!
Once a month, NCS residents and clients make a trip to the theatre for a movie.
From Trauma to Triumph: Tina's Transformation
Tina had a difficult childhood. When she was four years old, her mother passed away, and Tina spent the next decade moving between foster care placements—never feeling like she fully belonged anywhere or was part of a stable family. But Tina knew the way forward included college. So she worked hard, graduated from high school, and when she started college she hoped to find a group of friends that could become her chosen family. Unfortunately, the friends Tina made in college used drugs... and then so did Tina.
Thank You to Engel and Völkers
Thank you to our friends at Engel & Völkers for their generous donation to Chance for Change!
Thank you to Engel & Völkers!
It’s no surprise that food is one of the most requested items at NCS’s programs. Whether it's a warm meal or shelf-stable canned goods in our food pantries, food is essential. And with the cost of food up 13% over the past year and some neighborhood meal programs still suspended because of the pandemic, food donations have become even more pivotal for our clients.
Patricia's Chance for Change
Patricia spent 20 years of her life addicted to heroin, alcohol, and crack cocaine. Her addictions led to a life on and off the streets, in and out of shelters, and cut off from her family. In January 2019, a counselor from Chance for Change, our out-patient substance-use clinic, led an information session at Patricia’s shelter.
Hard Work + Housing + Support = Success
NCS gave me a chance and enabled me to live independently for the first time in a long time,” shared Donna. “I used to live in a shelter, and I know that my life wouldn’t be improving the way it is if I hadn’t received much needed support from Stephanie at Chance for Change and moved into the NCS Residence. I wouldn’t be where I am now. They helped me to become employable and helped me to gain the confidence I need to move forward in my life. My next goal is to move into my own apartment in Queens to be closer to my son and grandkids and make space at the NCS Residence for someone else who needs it. I am very blessed that life brought me here”
The NCS December 2021 Newsletter
Check out what’s new at NCS!
NCS Celebrates Thanksgiving
NCS clients at the Residence, Louis Nine House, and Chance for Change got to celebrate in person!
The NCS October 2021 Newsletter
Check out what’s new at NCS!
Partners in Change
NCS has formed a strong partnership with Lenox Hill Neighborhood House’s Women’s Mental Health Shelter (WMHS) located at the Park Avenue Armory.
“Together we are teaching the clients coping skills so that they can reach their potential and can be independent,” WMHS Social Worker Noemie Lemasson explained.
Patricia Relapsed During the Pandemic. She Wants You To Hear Her Story.
Last fall, I relapsed.
I was tired of wearing masks and social distancing. I missed going to church. I didn’t feel good, was in so much pain, but the doctor didn't find anything wrong. I visited my mom, and when I left her apartment, I saw someone selling drugs. I talked myself into believing that a bag of dope would make me feel better, and I got high that night.
Read more to see what happened next.
Dominick Gets a Vaccine!
“I want to encourage everyone to get vaccinated,” he shared. “Not only because it will keep you safe but so that we can reach herd immunity in New York City and can fully reopen services for our Chance for Change clients. This vaccine and reaching herd immunity, being able to reopen Chance for Change the way it was, it will allow us to realize all that Chance for Change can be. I will be able to finally get to work on all the big plans I had when I started here a year ago!”
In-person Group Therapy Sessions Resume at Chance for Change!
Chance for Change resumes in-person group therapy sessions after suspending them during the pandemic.
Patricia's Story
Chance for Change client and NCS Residence tenant Patricia continues to excel during the pandemic