LSSNY proudly hosted a press conference with NYC Mayor Mamdani, Congressman Ritchie Torres, The New York Public Library, Councilwoman Althea Stevens, and our resident Caridad Suarez.
Watch highlights:
Our St. John’s supportive housing residences are part of the pilot program to bring free broadband Internet access to over 2,000 low-income residents in the South Bronx and Upper Manhattan, with Internet installed and provided by Flume Internet.
At the open house, The New York Public Library worked with our residents to enable their connectivity at home.
There was hands-on assistance, food, music, balloons, and photo ops with The NYPL lion. Some of us were treated to a resident’s service dog repeating the words, “I love you.” We’ll share that video too.
Our Neighborhood Internet open house was paired with the dedication of The Darden Garden at St. John’s II, named in memory of the late James Darden, LSSNY’s former Central Office Manager, Advancement & Communications. In attendance: His widow Mrs. Darden, LSSNY Board Member Steven Jones, and New York State Assemblyman Michael Blake.
Reliable, high-speed Internet access is not a luxury but a necessity in today’s world. Yet one in five Bronx households lacks broadband access. As our President and CEO Damyn Kelly, J.D., PhD said, “One’s zip code should never dictate one’s access to information. This new initiative helps to guarantee that.”
Our residential program serves just under 500 individuals and consists of five residences in Brooklyn and the Bronx. We provide residential support, mental health and substance abuse counseling, job and vocational training, case management, peer support, and crisis intervention. Our shelter services assist approximately 1,500 additional individuals.
LSSNY provides trusted, community-rooted support that meets urgent needs and builds lasting change.
View highlights from our Neighborhood Internet Open House: