Emphasizing the shared responsibility of the city’s residents, Mayor Eric Adams called on New Yorkers to aid the multitude of children residing in shelters as the academic year commences. This plea for assistance comes at a critical juncture when educators increasingly report a shortage of essential resources for their students— a shortage that has significantly worsened due to the surge in the migrant population, further stressing the shelter system.
An elementary school teacher at P.S. 124, located in Gowanus, Brooklyn, a neighborhood in proximity to a shelter, added her voice to this growing concern. Sharing the urgent need for supplies for her students housed in the shelter, she turned to the community forum Nextdoor, appealing to the generosity and solidarity of community members with her cause.
While acknowledging the magnitude of the challenges at hand, Adams and his team outlined the typical strategies deployed by city schools during such strained times. Traditionally, they have partnered with nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups to raise funds and collect necessary supplies as the school year rolls in.
Despite these alliances, the city’s resources are stretched thin. Adams pointed to the hefty expenditure the city government has already incurred due to the escalating migrant crisis as one of the reasons this situation cannot be tackled solely with governmental efforts.
In a compelling appeal meant to mobilize the city, the Mayor emphasized that this is a pressing issue for every New Yorker. He called upon them to extend their routine purchases for their children and consider buying additional items that could be donated to the shelters.
His appeal was simple yet striking: As one shops for one’s own children, it might make a significant difference to pick up a few additional items. These items could range from a pair of sneakers, a windbreaker, or any other school supplies that students in need would find beneficial.