Cathedral Community Cares

Cathedral Community Cares (CCC) is the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine’s outreach program to those in need in the Cathedral’s neighborhood. The program is supported by a small salaried staff including a director, intake coordinator, case manager/referral coordinator, food manager and social worker. It operates through a volunteer network of individuals, ranging from professionals of neighboring institutions, to residents of the upper West Side.

The goal of Cathedral Community Cares is to be the catalyst to help improve the lives of those impacted by addiction, hunger, poverty, homelessness, and poor health, specifically HIV/AIDS. Through the dedicated efforts of trained professionals and those qualified by their life experiences, those who struggle are helped.

As a part of the Living Cathedral, Cathedral Community Cares expands its services based on the needs of the community. By working with the community in a safe environment, the seeds of change are planted, nurtured, and developed through advocacy, intervention, and empowerment.

Description and/or History:
CCC’s program area relates to the Cathedral mission statement by fulfilling each of its theological cornerstones.

COMMUNITY
• The Sunday Soup Kitchen provides a breakfast (10:00am), a hot, sit-down lunch (12:30pm) and a take-home bagged supper each Sunday for up to 250 people. CCC staff and MSW interns provide emergency counseling and referrals to services. Outreach services provide HIV/AIDS testing, prevention services i.e. condom distribution to both genders, and counseling.
All are welcome to help feed or to be fed and share a meal in community.

HOSPITALITY

• The New Hope Transitional Men’s Shelter houses eight homeless men in a program lasting up to 6 months and leading to employment and permanent housing. Shelter residents join in a rigorous goal-oriented approach to problem-solving, designed to assist them in regaining the financial and emotional equilibrium needed to maintain a satisfying job, as well as a stable home and social life.
The Cathedral opens its arms and creates a home for eight men who are committed to ending the cycle of homelessness. The CCC program assists them by offering a safe haven in which to participate in community life that requires working with other residents, doing community service, participating in substance abuse treatment, and job readiness training.

WITNESS

• The Walk-In Crisis Intervention and Counseling Center is a Multi-service community assistance center, open daily, Monday through Friday (10:00am-1:00pm) and serves up to 100 individuals monthly. The Crisis Center assists clients with emergency needs: shelter, clothing, food, counseling, HIV/AIDS prevention and education and referrals to legal assistance, medical care, and drug and alcohol treatment.
• The Clothing Closet distributes emergency clothing through the Crisis Center, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00am-1:00pm. The program’s “dress for success” effort provides appropriate clothing for homeless and jobless individuals (with a referral letter) returning to the workforce.
Through CCC’s intake process and client database, communities in need are identified. The Cathedral can advocate for clients and be witness to their needs. CCC is present and involved in helping individuals gain access to the resources available to clients, or can advocate for such services.

For detailed information on the Cathedral's history please visit our website.

Contact person: Vanna Valdez, Volunteer Coordinator, (212) 316-7585, (email)

Office fax number: (212) 316-7582

Address:

1047 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10025 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.stjohndivine.org

Directions:

We are located on 111th Street and Amsterdam. Walk down drive way/ walk way on 111th Street and ask the guard at the security booth to direct you to Cathedral Community Cares. For directions on train/bus: http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 1,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10   Nearest Bus Stop: 11, 5 minute walk

Last updated on February 3, 2010