As 2022 comes to a close, let us reflect on the year that was. I still feel like I am trying to process 2020 and the subsequent months that followed. I will admit, 2022 was filled with adventures and surprises. So many of us are still living with the effects of COVID and lockdowns and so much more. Many families are still processing health tribulations and financial struggles due to COVID and lockdown from previous months. As we conclude this year and all its complexities, it is my hope we have time to find time for gratitude and enjoy all of the friends and family members who surround us.
One of the ways I try to stay connected to my New York community is through donations. So many organizations need end-of-year donations to help sustain them for the months ahead. Since Mayor Adams just announced significant defunding of the NY Public Library, I am so glad I donate to the Brooklyn Public Library as well as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
I am also a proud trustee of the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side and we are currently working on an exhibit to highlight the history and contributions of African Americans during the 19th century. A larger story told through the life of one man, Joseph Moore. So many museums and cultural institutions need our financial support to continue to bring us exhibits and programs that can literally change how we view the world.
As we think of young people and their needs, I often think of the work of Troop 6000 in New York City which supports girl scouts who are unhoused. Providing a troop that supports and encourages young girls is of great importance to me. Just because someone is experiencing homelessness does not mean they should not have a childhood filled with fond memories, community, and the leadership foundation provided by the Girl Scouts.
I also support the Envision Freedom Fund, formerly known as the Brooklyn Bail Fund. This organization provides support for families entangled in the unjust criminal legal and immigration systems. As we continue to fight for equal rights for all people living in this city and this country, it is important to support organizations doing the work on the ground to make the criminal legal system more just and equitable.
The Doe Fund is also a great organization to support as they “work to break the cycle of poverty, homelessness and recidivism through economic opportunities, housing and comprehensive support services.”
No matter what organizations you support, any amount you give helps contribute to a better New York and a better nation. We are one and we remember to be sure to support our neighbors, known and unknown.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University, the author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream,” and the co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC and host of The Blackest Questions podcast at TheGrio.