Learn-At-Home Resources
Remote learning for public school students starts on Monday, March 23. In the meantime, keep kids' minds occupied with these free activities.
Check out the city Department of Education's guide: The DOE's landing page for remote learning is full of tools, sample schedules and more, tailored to the instruction your child will receive from their teacher. Visit the DOE website »
Remote Learning Device Request Through The DOE: To help students stay connected during emergencies, the DOE is lending internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning for students. Priority will be given to students most in need, and all devices are granted temporarily and will later need to be returned. There is a limit of one device per student. Click here to complete the form
Free Internet access: Most Internet providers are providing free internet access for 60 days to support families while social distancing to stop the spread of the coronavirus. See a guide to free internet in English and Spanish » And, New York City public school students can get free Internet access from Spectrum while schools are closed. Call 844-488-8398 to sign up.
Parents' guide to Google Classroom: Is your child's teacher using Google Classroom for remote learning? Take a look at this online presentation about how to set it up »
Online "mommy and me" classes from Circletime: New users can get free enrichment classes for kids up to the age of 8. Topics include yoga, cooking, art, and music. Check it out »
Online technology courses and projects: The Mouse Learning Network, a STEM educational organization, is offering free access to its online courses for the rest of the school year and do-it-yourself projects for kids to try out from home. Visit the website »
Free, daily learn-at-home activities from Scholastic: The children's publishing company will release four new activities every day for kids studying at home. Take a look »
Education companies offering free subscriptions: Dozens of education companies are offering free online subscriptions during school closures. See a list »
Free Math games and lessons: Gregtangmath.com provides math games, worksheets, resources and books for GRADES K-5. Visit the website
Free, online Science lessons: Mystery Science provides free K-5 science activities ranging from 15-90 minutes accompanied with video and resource guides See the lessons
Kennedy Space Center virtual presentations: The Kennedy Space Center is hosting daily presentations for kids and teens on Facebook Live. The videos are posted on their feed and can be watched whenever. Visit their page
Free Educational Games: ABCYa provides games that align with Common Core in the areas of Math, English Language Arts, and Science. Visit the website
Free Arcade Math and Language Arts games: Arcademics has a number of games designed to test and develop students’ skills in school. See the games
Explore STEM topics with NASA: NASA is providing free STEM activities and resources online for all grade levels. Check them all out here
Free online tutoring and education resources: Brainfuse Help Now & New York Public Library are providing live tutoring, academic support and adult learning on their website, all you need is a library card. Find more information here
Boys & Girls Club of America Learning: My.Future has free resources for kids that include technology training, music, media-making, and social-emotional wellness. Member can sign up here
Stay Informed
Check the NYC Health website: For fact sheets and up-to-date information specific to New York City in multiple languages, visit NYCHealth.gov »
Get the latest coronavirus updates by phone: The New York State Department of Health invites New York residents to text COVID to 692-692 for updates in English or text COVIDESP to 692-692 for updates in Spanish. You can also find daily updates on the website »
Stay updated on New York City response and resources: Visit Access NYC for information on different agencies and seek support. Visit here
Face Covering Guidance: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is recommending all New Yorkers wear face coverings when leaving the home. For more information click here
Council Member Tips: Councilman Mark Levine has compiled answers to FAQ’s that can help families understand COVID-19. See the page here
Have a Question? Call the Novel Coronavirus Hotline 24/7 at 1-888-364-3065
What to do if you feel sick:
Find somewhere safe to stay – and stay there! It is best to stay inside and away from others. Stay hydrated (drink lots of water), eat healthy, rest, and wash your hands frequently.
If you need help, call 311 if it is a medical emergency call 911.
Parenting Resources
Parenting in a pandemic: Check out an article from Psychology Today about how to maintain family routines during a quarantine »
How to talk to your child about COVID-19: Click here to learn
Teaching your kid about COVID-19: Brainpop offers engaging videos, activities, and lessons around understanding COVID-19 and ways to keep people safe. See the tools
World Health Organization resources on COVID-19: WHO has created tools to speak with your child about COVID-19. Check them out here
Coping and Emotional Wellbeing during COVID-19: COVID-19 can be stressful during this time and it is natural to be overwhelmed. NYC Health has compiled resources to help cope. Check them out here
FAQ’s for Parents and Caregivers: There are a lot of questions surrounding COVID-19 and ways to protect your family. NYC Department of Health has compiled answers to some of those questions. Get answers here
Fun Things To Do While Social Distancing
Children's stories in Spanish: Find free audio and video files of beloved children's books read aloud in Spanish from The Spanish Experiment »
Broadway plays and musicals you can watch from home: Take a look at this list of Broadway shows you can stream online »
Activities to do at home with kids: Take a look at this list of 100 activities to do at home during school closures »
Virtual museum tours: See a list of museums around the world offering online tours »
Educational shows on Netflix: Check out a blog post with a list of more than 150 educational television shows you can watch on Netflix »
Livestream doodles with Mo Willems: Beloved children's author Mo Willems will release a live stream "lunch doodle" every weekday at 1 p.m. and invites kids to draw and write with him.
Virtual yoga classes for kids: For short, kid-friendly yoga classes you can stream on your phone, computer or television, check out Cosmic Kids yoga »
Download SimplyE. The New York Public Library's free e-reader app that makes it easier than ever to borrow e-books.
The Metropolitan Opera is offering, “Nightly Met Opera Streams” for free every night at 7:30 PM. After each performance, streams are available to watch online for a period of 20 hours.
Listen to books read by Levar Burton: Levar Burton reads a short fiction story each week on his podcast which can be found here, he is also providing video on his twitter page here
Virtual Library Events: Brooklyn Public Library is hosting virtual events daily covering storytime, knitting, yoga and many more opportunities to learn. Check out all the events here
Free Coding Games: Blockly provides a "drag and drop" coding program to teach kids the basics of computer science. See the games here
Financial and other forms of relief
No student or medical debt collection until April 16: The New York State Attorney General's Office announced it would suspend the collection of student and medical debt until April 16. The policy will also halt interest accrual on these loans. Find out more »
NYC has waived the 7-day waiting period for unemployment benefits for people out of work due to the outbreak.
Get free, confidential mental health help from home: NYC Well provides free, confidential mental health help from licensed counselors to New Yorkers in crisis. Talk to someone on the phone, via chat or via text. Check it out »
Get tenant support over the phone: If you're facing housing issues related to the coronavirus crisis, get free advice over the phone »
If you’re a renter, check to see if your management company has pledged to halt all evictions for 90 days. This list is live, so make sure you check back for updates!
Free delivery of groceries and supplies: Volunteers across the city are delivering groceries, medication, and other necessities to the elderly and otherwise at-risk residents. Get your delivery or sign up to volunteer »
Mutual aid: Request help or submit an offer to help others using the NYC mutual aid network »
Health Insurance: New York State has extended a special enrollment period through April 15th, 2020. For free enrollment assistance, click here
NYCHA support: Families experiencing a partial or total loss of income can contact property management or through NYCHA Self-Service Portal to work through the rent hardship program. More details here
Virtual Workforce1 Career Center: Workforce1 assists with the preparation and connection to jobs across the five boroughs. Receive assistance here
Food Help
BGCHarlem Food Pantry: If you need food, every Friday, BGCHarlem will now distribute free grab-and-go food items to parents and students at the BGCHarlem Clubhouse from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Register for a time slot »
Find a food pantry near you: Food Bank NYC is giving out free meals, groceries, and SNAP support all over the city. To find nutrition support near you, visit the website »
Community Kitchen and Pantry in Harlem 252 West 116th Street New York, NY 10026
Hours
Tuesday - Senior only hours: 9:30 am - 11:00 am | Everyone else: 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday: Senior only hours: 9:30 am - 11:00 am | Everyone else: 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
We are registering new clients by phone: (212) 566-7855 ext 6109.
Clients won't be turned away if they haven't yet registered but we are asking that folks call ahead as best they can to speed the process along.
The line rings to several staff members, but it may be busy, so please call back – you can also call while in line.
We are practicing social distancing in the line and asking that folks be patient.
New pantry client registration call line hours: (212) 566-7855 ext 6109.
Monday: 11:00 am -3:30 pm (call line only - no pantry)
Tuesday: 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Friday: 11:00 am - 3:30 pm (call line only - no pantry)
Saturday: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Find food help in Spanish: Check out an interactive map in Spanish of "comida gratis" (free food) around New York City. See the map online »
NYC food hub: The COVI-19 food hub for NYC is continuously gathering information about free groceries and meals around the city as well as about financial help for restaurant workers.
Citywide Food Resources
English: Citywide Food Resources
Español: Guía De Alimentos Y Asistencia
The New York City Department of Education is committed to making three free meals available daily for any New Yorker.
Meals can be picked up at all Meal Hubs 7:30 am to 1:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Meals Hubs will operate for children and families from 7:30 am to 11:30 am, and for adults from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Follow BGCH Social Media Channels For Daily Updates
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harlembgc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarlemBGC/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarlemBGC
Sources: UFT, DOE, The Door