Center for Urban Community Services

03/06/2026

“It’s so important to have volunteers like you come out that night and participate.”

For nearly 20 years, Erica has worked with New Yorkers experiencing street homelessness to help them move into permanent housing. During on Tuesday, 3/10, volunteers play a crucial role in gathering the data that guides outreach, resources, and housing pathways. Come be a part of this critical work.
Join us: nyc.gov/hope

03/05/2026

Helping NYers experiencing street homelessness starts with a question: “Do you have a place to sleep tonight?” Join our survey of NYers sleeping on the streets — now rescheduled for 3/10. Learn more and sign up: nyc.gov/hope

03/02/2026

What if your team could defuse conflict before it escalates?

The CUCS Institute's De-Escalating Crisis & Conflict training gives your team real-world techniques to recognize escalation early and intervene before situations get out of control.

Designed for retail staff, libraries, business owners, and public-facing teams, this interactive, scenario-based course teaches trauma-informed approaches that reduce 911 calls and improve safety for everyone. Protect your staff and serve your customers better.

Customized packages available. Learn more at cucs.org/training

02/27/2026

Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Van Yu, had the honor of giving the keynote address at the Homeless Services United (HSU) From Crisis to Connection Forum this morning. He presented alongside Dr. Helen Arteaga, Deputy Mayor for NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Daniel Farrell, COO of HELP USA.

Joining Dr. Yu at the Forum were CUCS's Chief Strategy Officer Abbey Nyamekye and Deputy Chief Program Officer Marlene Karlin.

We're proud to be a part of these critical discussions about how to best care for and support the most vulnerable and at-risk New Yorkers. Thank you to HSU for organizing this morning's event!

02/27/2026

We're honored and delighted to share that Adina Barbosa, CUCS's Chief Program Officer, was named one of City and State NY's Who's Who in Affordable Housing for 2026!

Adina oversees 30+ programs that serve more than 10,000 New Yorkers annually. Thank you Adina for your dedication and leadership. Congratulations!

See the full list of Who's Who here: https://www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/2026/02/2026-whos-who-affordable-housing/411500/

02/26/2026

In this powerful episode of From There to Here with Jason Shupp, CUCS President and CEO Dawn M. Pinnock shares her inspiring journey from growing up in a family dedicated to public service to leading one of NYC’s most impactful nonprofits tackling housing instability.

Discover how she keeps hope alive in the face of seemingly unsolvable challenges.

🎧 Check out a clip here and listen to the full episode, out now on Spotify https://bit.ly/4qYLFn6 and on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/4aOPRj1

02/24/2026

Great supportive housing starts with great training!

The CUCS Institute's DOHMH Core Trainings are the official foundational series for supportive housing staff, developed in partnership with NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.

You'll learn trauma-informed, person-centered techniques for tenant engagement, crisis de-escalation, and documentation that centers empowerment and healing. Designed to equip new staff with the essential values, approaches, and tools they need to provide quality care with dignity and respect.

CE credits available. Learn more at cucs.org/training

02/23/2026

With new snow on the ground and dangerously cold temperatures, we're resharing an important story from CNN that showcases how CUCS works across the city to support homeless New Yorkers. Please check it out below:

From our dedicated street outreach teams to one of our Safe Havens, CUCS shows up day after day for New Yorkers who need us the most. Thank you Gloria Pazmino, Fredricka Whitfield CNN, and CNN for helping make this work visible.

02/23/2026

Just in time for what's turning out to be a historical blizzard, we've received a generous donation of beautiful hand-knit hats, scarves, and blankets from the Bryant Park Corporation.

We're so grateful to be celebrating our 6th consecutive year of partnership with Bryant Park and their incredible knitting group, who once again handcrafted a gorgeous collection for clients at our Drop-In Center.

Six years. Countless stitches. And a tradition of community care. Thank you, Bryant Park and all of the knitters for continuing to show up for our neighbors with such creativity, warmth, and generosity. ❤️

02/22/2026

🔵 ENHANCED CODE BLUE IN EFFECT 🔵

As of yesterday afternoon, NYC is in an Enhanced Code Blue due to the impending blizzard. What does that mean?

✅ CUCS's Outreach Teams are coordinating with our partners at the NYC Department of Homeless Services to bring people inside across the city
✅ Warming Centers are open in every borough, find one here: https://on.nyc.gov/4rdVKNC
✅ No one will be turned away from shelters and Drop-In Centers
✅ Calls to 311 requesting help for anyone outside and vulnerable will be directed to 911

Here's how you can help right now:
❄️ Make a donation to support the purchase of critical cold-weather gear for our unhoused, at-risk neighbors. Visit https://bit.ly/4rvQZiP

❄️ If you see someone outside in the cold, call 311 to request assistance

02/18/2026

During NYC's recent deadly freeze, our outreach teams were out every morning on the streets of Upper Manhattan finding clients, checking in, and meeting people where they are.

Gothamist and WNYC reporter Ryan Kost followed CUCS Outreach Director Aly Coleman and her team during the crisis.

Her words capture how we approach this work: "It can be really challenging to not approach our clients in a panic... No one is saying we don't believe you've been strong and resilient in the past. But why? Why do we have to be today, right? Let's try to get somewhere warm today."

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4kHX2Os
Listen here: https://bit.ly/3OlG7p4

“These deaths are not inevitable,” Council Speaker Julie Menin said at a hearing last week. “They are the result of gaps in outreach, shelter capacity, mental health services and follow-up."

02/18/2026

CUCS President & CEO, Dawn M. Pinnock sat down with Rena Olsen on the Uncommon Philanthropist podcast to talk about her career journey and about what real, systemic change actually looks like in practice.

Listen on Spotify here: https://bit.ly/4roOaAc
Watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4aO9by2