PS 183 Donates Winter Clothes to Homeless Men Served by The Doe Fund

NEW YORK, NY— On Tuesday, December 22nd, New York City-based nonprofit The Doe Fund hosted a winter clothing giveaway for the formerly homeless residents of The Bentley Hotel. This extraordinary gesture of support was organized by students and parents from the nearby PS 183, in recognition of the work these men have done to improve the neighborhood since arriving at the hotel in April. The items, purchased through PS 183’s donation partner Panoptic Promo, included hats, coats, gloves, and personal protective equipment.

In accordance with City directives to better allow for social distancing in transitional residences, The Doe Fund moved half the residents of its Harlem Center of Opportunity to The Bentley Hotel. These men have proudly stood as frontline heroes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, working in cleaning crews as part of The Doe Fund’s Ready, Willing & Able reentry program to provide enhanced sanitation services throughout the neighborhood. These services include sweeping, garbage begging, graffiti removal, and disinfecting of bus kiosks, parking meters, phone booths, and other street furniture. 

The Bentley also houses men who have graduated from Ready, Willing & Able, but have suffered setbacks due to the pandemic. By continuing to provide paid work opportunities and serving as a safety net, The Doe Fund prevents men who are trying desperately to do the right thing from returning to lives of crime, addiction, and homeless. Residents of The Bentley also receive the full suite of supportive services and workforce development training that The Doe Fund provides.

“At P.S. 183, our school motto is ‘Take Care of Each Other,’” said Principal Martin Woodard. “This year, more than ever, we are glad to put our motto to use right here in our neighborhood.”

“The men we serve are grateful for this much-needed winter clothing, thanks to our forward-thinking friends at PS 183,” said George McDonald, Founder of The Doe Fund. “As Ready, Willing & Able trainees heroically put themselves on the frontlines in NYC’s hour of need, we are humbled to be part of such a vibrant, generous, and open-minded community here on the Upper East Side.”