Xavier Mission

Welcome Table Menu for July 28 🍎 Please share with your community Join us this Sunday, July 28, for a Chicken Parm Hero or an Eggplant Parm Hero. If you can’t sit for a meal, feel free to come by for our peanut butter and jelly takeout option. Did you know that in the United States, over 38 million people, including 11 million children, struggle with food insecurity every year? This social issue spans across various demographics and geographic regions, and is isolating for those who experience it. However, at Xavier Mission, we come together to help our NYC neighbors and offer a source of nutrition, companionship, and belonging. While most soup kitchens in NYC are closed on Sundays, we're here to make sure people can have a nutritious meal even on the weekend. If you wish to donate or volunteer with the Welcome Table, please visit https://lnkd.in/eThq2GVa. #xaviermission #freefood #endhunger #foodpantry #soupkitchen #communityaid

“Kids with any level of housing insecurity – low or high – had worse self-reported health at age 15. They also reported worse mental health.” A recent study published in The Journal of Pediatrics highlights the lasting effects of housing insecurity on children’s well-being. Conducted over two decades as part of the Future of Families and Child Well-Being study, researchers found that children experiencing housing instability—whether through homelessness, eviction, or difficulty affording rent—were more likely to report poorer health outcomes by age 15. This includes higher rates of depression and anxiety compared to peers with stable housing. Dr. Hemen Muleta, a pediatrician at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Health System, stresses the importance of this research, noting its implications for early intervention strategies in pediatric care. The study highlights the urgent need for policies and community support systems that ensure all children have access to stable housing, a fundamental necessity for their health and development. To learn more about the study and its findings, read the full article on NPR. Understanding the connection between housing security and child health is crucial for advocating for policies that support vulnerable families. https://lnkd.in/g3bnRnEY #NPR #HousingInsecurity #CommunitySupport #Pediatrics #ChildrensHealth #Xaviermission 

Meet Jared, Aniya and Jona, Pierre Toussaint Scholars who gave their time to our Welcome Table. These college students embody the spirit of service and community empowerment. They’ve not only received this prestigious scholarship but also selflessly give back to the NYC community through service and volunteering at events like our Welcome Table. Their commitment to making a difference is truly inspiring! 🙌 Want to make a difference too? Join us in creating positive change in our community. We are always looking for helping hands, especially during the summer. For any questions, feel free to email Roxanne at RDeLaTorre@xaviermission.org. https://lnkd.in/eyUjQse8 #VolunteerSpotlight #PierreToussaintScholars #CommunityService #MakeADifference #JoinUs #Xaviermission

In a report released this summer, the nonprofit LiveOnNY indicated that increasing numbers of New Yorkers sixty and older "are just a job loss, an uninsured illness or a real-estate flip away from homelessness." Indeed, although applicants to our Financial Assistance Program (FAP) for rent arrears to prevent eviction come from all ages and backgrounds, many are older adults. They come to Xavier Mission seeking rent assistance for arrears incurred due to their own illness or the need to care-take for family members. Some had to cover funeral expenses for loved ones or lost employment during the pandemic. Almost all are struggling to survive on an extremely limited income from social security retirement or disability benefits. All are looking to avoid the city's overburdened shelter system and age in place. We applaud efforts to create more affordable housing, especially spaces that accommodate older people who may have mobility challenges. We also advocate for the regulation of rent increases that occur when real estate changes hands and for financial assistance for New Yorkers of all ages so that they can remain in their homes. Read more:  "Why More Older New Yorkers Are Ending Up in Homeless Shelters" The New York Times Andy Newman June 28, 2024 Donate now: https://lnkd.in/eAb9VKsv Xavier Mission Financial Assistance / Eviction Prevention Program (FAP)

July is National Watercolor Month! Today, we put a special spotlight on the transformative power of art by sharing a few pieces created by our guests. Art offers a profound outlet for individuals, including the unhoused community, providing a therapeutic journey of healing and self-discovery through creative expression. Art allows individuals to communicate, process emotions, and find solace in times of adversity. For the unhoused, art therapy can be particularly impactful, offering a sense of dignity, purpose, and community amidst challenging circumstances. Your support of our Arts at Xavier program enables us to continue providing inclusive spaces where creativity flourishes and joy begins. What’s your favorite medium of artwork? Let us know in the comments! #ArtsatXavier #ArtHeals #ArtTherapy #NationalWatercolorMonth #Xaviermission #arttherapyheals

Welcome Table Menu for July 21st 🍎 Please share with your community Join us this Sunday, July 21st, for Baked Fish Filet, Rice Pilaf, and Steamed Vegetables or Baked Chickenless Chicken, Rice Pilaf, and Steamed Vegetables. Feel free to come by for our peanut butter and jelly takeout option if you can’t sit for a meal. Did you know that 1 in 4 adults in NYC experiences food insecurity? That's where we come in. As NYC battles a hunger crisis, our mission extends beyond just feeding people; it's about preserving the dignity and humanity of those struggling to get by. Our guests come for a meal but find community, friendship, and a sense of security that keeps them coming back. While most soup kitchens in NYC are closed on Sundays, we’re here to make sure people can have a nutritious meal even on the weekend. If you wish to donate or volunteer with the Welcome Table, please visit https://lnkd.in/eThq2GVa. #xaviermission #welcometable #soupkitchen #nycnonprofits #nycevents #nycfreeevents #nonprofitlife #hunger #hungercrisis #feedthehungry #empower #communityaid #communityimpact #transforminglives

Discover the stark reality faced by families like Jessica Fuentes’ as highlighted in this poignant AMNY article. With the end of the school year, instead of summer fun, the Fuentes family grapples with increased expenses on essentials like milk and meat, exacerbated by their limited income largely spent on rent and bills. This financial strain intensifies during summer, leaving them stressed and struggling to afford basic necessities. In New York City alone, 23.5% of children under 18 live in food-insecure households, representing over 416,000 kids who lack consistent access to nutritious meals. This issue hits hardest in boroughs like the Bronx, where 33.2% of children face food insecurity—one of the highest rates nationwide. Despite the availability of food banks and summer meal programs, many eligible children miss out due to lack of awareness or accessibility issues. Jessica, for instance, spends hours navigating multiple buses to access food pantries, sacrificing time and convenience for her family’s meals. In this article, Leslie Gordon, President and CEO of Food Bank For New York City, emphasizes the urgent need for expanded access to summer meal programs and increased public support. Read the full article to inform yourself and others so you can advocate for our most vulnerable neighbors. Your awareness and action can help transform summertime into a season of security and nourishment for all children in our city. https://lnkd.in/eKRPsTPQ #ChildhoodHunger #SupportNYC #FoodInsecurity #xaviermission #foodbank #endhunger #communityaid

Meet Jaelyn, one of our incredible volunteers at the Welcome Table! Jaelyn beautifully sums up the heart of our mission: “It’s incredibly fulfilling to be a listening ear for someone who might feel isolated or in need of support. It’s more than ‘handing out food’; it’s about building friendships, genuine connection, and acceptance. It’s more than just offering kindness; it’s about embracing others for exactly who they are.” Thank you, Jaelyn, for your dedication to making a difference in our community. Your compassion and commitment are inspiring. #VolunteerSpotlight #xaviermission

July is Disability Pride Month! This month, we honor the diversity and resilience of the disability community. Did you know that approximately 26% of adults in the U.S. have a disability, and 40% of unhoused individuals report having a disability? Supporting those with disabilities means advocating for accessible infrastructure, inclusive policies in housing and employment, and equitable healthcare access. It involves challenging stereotypes, promoting universal design principles, and ensuring that voices from the disability community are heard and respected in decision-making processes. This month we can educate ourselves and others, raise awareness about disability rights, and work towards a society where everyone, regardless of ability, can live with dignity, opportunity, and equality. #DisabilityPride #InclusionMatters #SupportForAll #XavierMission

Thank you for volunteering and bringing your children with you! It’s never too early to give back to your community. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our neighbors.