Recent News
NSCH Receives 2009 Smart Growth Award
The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless recently received the 2009 Smart Growth Award: Providing a Range of Housing Types from Vision Long Island. NSCH was recognized for our work in assisting Long Island’s homeless find sufficient housing and support services. We'd like to thank Vision Long Island for honoring NSCH with this award!
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At the 2009 Smart Growth Awards Ceremony. Left to right: Greta Guarton, NSCH Executive Director; Peter Barnett, NSCH Board Member; Julee King, NSCH Coordinator of Homeless Systems. |
NSCH Inducted Into Community Hall of Fame
On June 17, 2009, the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless was inducted into the Community Hall of Fame sponsored by the Community Advisory Boards of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 New York. The Community Advisory Boards seek nominations of educational institutions, community-based organizations, not-for-profits and other groups who have distinguished themselves with initiatives in the tri-state area that are deserving of recognition and induction into the THIRTEEN/WLIW Community Hall of Fame.
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At the THIRTEEN/WLIW21 New York Community Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony. Left to right: Arlene Soifer, WLIW Community Advisory Board Member; Howard Duff, III, NSCH Board Member; Greta Guarton, NSCH Executive Director; Julee King, NSCH Coordinator of Homeless Systems. |
NSCH is honored to receive this prestigious award in recognition of the important work we do in collaboration with housing and services providers serving Long Islanders in need. We'd like to thank THIRTEEN and WLIW21 New York for this honor!
2009 CoC Funding Process
In previous years, HUD published each program's Notice of Funding Availability together in one combined SuperNOFA. This year, however, HUD plans to publish the individual program NOFAs as they are approved. At this time, HUD has published the General Section of the Federal Register, which contains a proposed scheduled for publication of the program NOFAs. HUD estimates that it will publish the Continuum of Care NOFA in July.
This year's funding process will be conducted as a two-part process. The first part, applicant registration, is expected to take place during the early summer months. The second part of the process is the submission of applications to HUD through eSnaps. HUD has stated that the deadline to submit applications to HUD through eSnaps will be after Labor Day.
For more information about the Continuum of Care, click here.
Upcoming Events
3rd Annual "Back Pack Pirates" Event/Supply Our Students Drive
Avast! The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless will once again participate in the Annual Back Pack Pirates event hosted by Every Child's Dream. This year's fun-filled day will take place on August 12, 2009 and is sure to trump last year's festivities. Check back soon for more information, as planning for this exciting day has only just begun!
21st Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference
21st Annual Keys for the Homeless Conference "The Community Response to Ending Homelessness" October 9, 2009 Touro Law Center 225 Eastview Drive Central Islip, New York |
This year's Keys Conference will feature Keynote Speaker Diane Nilan HEAR US Founder/President |
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"Homelessness won't get better until we all pitch in and help...replace compassion fatigue with a compassion epidemic..." |
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Diane Nilan's 21 years' experience with homelessness includes running emergency shelters and successfully advocating for the passage of legislation guaranteeing homeless students' educational rights. In November, 2005, Ms. Nilan sold her house, car and most of her possessions. She purchased an RV and set out on an extraordinary venture: to create a documentary featuring kids talking about their homelessness. Ms. Nilan created HEAR US, a non-profit organization, to give voice and visibility to homeless children, youth and families. |
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NSCH is pleased to announce that two $1,000 Helen Martin Scholarships will be awarded this year to two students who have had personal experience with homelessness. Complete scholarship applications must be received by 12:00 p.m. on June 26, 2009. For more information, download the scholarship requirements and scholarship application below.
2009 Helen Martin Scholarship Requirements
2009 Helen Martin Scholarship Application
Sponsorship opportunities are now available! As a sponsor of the Keys Conference, you will help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness on Long Island. Special sponsorship opportunities are also available for NSCH paid member organizations.
2009 Keys Sponsorship Brochure
2009 Keys Enhanced Sponsorship Brochure - NSCH Paid Member Organizations
Please reserve your space by September 19, 2009. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at (516) 742-7770.
Proposals for workshop presentations are currently being sought. We are looking for presentations that address all aspects of homelessness. Proposals must be received by July 1, 2009 to be considered. For more information, download the workshop proposal form below.
Request for Workshop Proposals 2009
Be sure to check back soon for more information regarding registration, Key of Excellence Awardees, and more!
Recent Events
Annual "Have a Heart for the Homeless" Candlelight Vigil
The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless held its annual "Have a Heart for the Homeless" Candlelight Vigil on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at Farmingdale State College. Nearly 2,000 volunteers, consumers, government representatives and members of faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, and school and community groups made this year's Vigil a tremendous success! Live musical entertainment was provided by Deirdre Lebrecht, children of all ages were treated to face painting, and free haircuts were provided by talented hairstylists from ID Salon. WWF/WWE Wrestling Champion Mick "Mankind" Foley also made a guest appearance! Donations of unused baby items, diapers and formula, along with toiletries, non-perishable foods, clothing and blankets were accepted and distributed at the event. NSCH would like to thank everyone who participated in event for their support and contributions to ending homelessness on Long Island!
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2nd Annual "Back Pack Pirates" Event/Supply Our Students Drive
The Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless and Every Child's Dream held the 2nd Annual Back Pack Pirates event on Fire Island on August 13, 2008. Nearly 250 children between the ages of 8 and 15 spent a fun-filled day at the beach, participating in various planned activitites. Activities included a ferry ride to Fire Island, a pirate show, a treasure hunt, volleyball, swimming, live music and a performance by "Story Pirates." At the end of the day, each child was provided with a backpack filled with school supplies. Many thanks to the 100+ volunteers who helped make Back Pack Pirates an exciting and unforgettable event!
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| Ken Mangan and children on the ferry to Fire Island. | Children on the ferry look out for pirates! |
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| Arrrgh! | Avast! |
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| Children check out a pirate's loot. | Children enjoying the ocean. |
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| Preparing to hunt for treasure. | Back at Sayville to receive backpacks. |
Stand-Up for the Homeless
On Friday, June 27, 2008, NSCH joined other homeless housng and service providers at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Deer Park at the first annual Stand-Up for the Homeless, a special event created by the Office of Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. Homeless families and individuals were provided with access to services from federal, State, County, and non-profit agencies. Such services included health and dental screenings, hair cuts, vaccinations, employment opportunities, public assistance counseling, comfort and hygiene kits, diaper bags, and financial, housing, educaitonal, and benefit services.
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Left to right: Charles Russo, NSCH Board Chair; Mike Majikas, NC Office for the Physically Challenged; Julee King, NSCH Manager of Housing and Services; Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy; Greta Guarton, NSCH Interim Executive Director |
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Stand-Up for the Homeless Attendees |
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Diaper Bag Distribution
Thanks to a wonderful donation from Feed the Children, coordinated through Sarah Benjamin of Eastern Suffolk BOCES, the Nassau-Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless distributed over 2,000 new diaper bags filled with baby and toddler items, along with two pallets of diapers of various sizes, to Long Island agencies serving homeless and at-risk families. The distribution took place on Monday, April 14, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Suffolk County.
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Past Events
Click here to visit our Continuum of Care page.