Now is a stressful and uncertain time for families and communities everywhere. But you are not alone. We are in this together. There are many resources available to help you take care of yourself, your family and your community.
We will continue to update this document as information changes and we become aware of additional resources. This is not a comprehensive list—many excellent resource lists already exist, and we will add them here as we become aware of them. While we will try to keep this page as up to date as possible, we cannot guarantee that all information will be complete or accurate. If you have additional resources you think should be added, please let us know by DMing us on Instagram or Twitter @adhealthcenter or on Facebook @MSAHC.
The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center remains open Monday-Saturday.
We need to recommend that you stay home as much as you possibly can. You should only think about coming in to the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center if you have an immediate need. If you’re 10-26 years old and have an immediate need, please call us at (212) 423-3000 to make an appointment for free, confidential health care. No immigration restrictions, no insurance needed. Read our full update on COVID-19.
Resource Lists
- New York State Youth Leadership Council’s Resource List focused on undocumented youth and families in NYC includes emergency funds, mental health support, bills assistance, and other NYC-specific info and resources.
- Top COVID-19 Resources for NYC Youth and Families
- NYC United Against Coronavirus: Resources and information; Includes resources organized by borough
- COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Communities: Includes nationwide & New York-specific resources
- 100+ COVID-19 Pandemic Resources and 5 Self-Preservation Tips From A Therapist: This list from therapist Araya Baker is updated daily and includes links related to arts and recreation, financial assistance, food resources, mental health and community support, and more. It is nationally (not NYC) focused.
- Harm Reduction Coalition’s resource list for people who use drugs, people who engage in sex work and people vulnerable to structural violence
- COVID-19 Responses and Resources from DegreesNYC
- COVID-19 Resources by Neighborhood (NYC)
Reliable Info on COVID-19
Food
- Free Meals for All New Yorkers from NYC Department of Education: Three free “grab and go” meals per day will be available to ALL New Yorkers (not just students/children), Monday-Friday, at 400 locations across the city. Find the location nearest you here. From the NYC Department of Education website:
- 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
- No one will be turned away at any time
- All adults and children can pick up three meals at one time
- Vegetarian and halal options available at all sites
- No dining space is available, so meals must be eaten off premises
- Parents and guardians may pick up meals for their children
- No registration or ID required
- The Food Bank for NYC: The Community Kitchen and Food Bank in Harlem offers to-go meals Monday – Friday, and take-home pantry bags Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. See additional locations and most up to date hours and policies here. Location: 252 West 116th Street, New York, NY 10026
- Food Hub: Restaurants Donating to Families of Public School Students
- Food Hub: Food Resources for Families and Students
- Food Hub: Resources for Restaurant Workers and Owners
- Mamajuana Café (Bronx location) is offering free lunch to children from 11am-1pm and from 4pm-8pm. Location: 3233 E. Tremont Avenue, Bronx, New York 10461
Financial Assistance & Info
- Access NYC has updates and information on the city, state and federal benefits you may be eligible for, including some handy charts to help you navigate them.
- New York State Unemployment Benefits (New York State is waiving the 7-day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits)
- Stimulus Payments: Certain individuals should receive $1,200 from the federal government (single adults with a social security number who make $75,000 or less each year and are NOT declared a dependent by someone else). If that doesn’t describe you, you may receive a different amount as a one-time payment. Learn more from the New York Times FAQ.
- All Federal student loan payments are suspended until September 30th. No interest will accrue on these loans during this time. There will also be no negative reporting to credit reporting agencies. Please note that this only applies to student loans held by the federal government (like Federal Direct Loans) and NOT to privately-held Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL), Perkins loans or private loan debt. Learn more.
- For those who have defaulted on their federal student loans: Any wage garnishment or tax refund reduction has been suspended.
- Scholly COVID-19 Student Relief Fund: Students, parents of students, and graduates can apply for $200 of cash assistance. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and are subject to approval and available funds. The application takes 2 minutes.
- New York State Youth Leadership Council has a list of resources (including emergency funds, mental health resources, bills assistance and additional support) focused on undocumented youth and families.
- Con Edison will not turn off service because of inability to pay. They are also waiving new late payment fees and fees for paying with credit or debit cards. Most customers can arrange for payment extensions and agreements.
- 25 Fundraisers Giving Money and Hope to LGBTQ+ People During COVID-19 (from them.)
Housing
- All evictions proceedings in NYC have been suspended indefinitely.
- Tenants’ Rights for Tenants with COVID-19 or Under Home-Quarantine (from NYC Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants)
Technology and Internet Access
- Free service for students without internet: Spectrum is offering free service to K-12 and college students who do not have internet and are now taking classes from home. To access, call 1-844-488-8398. Learn more.
- iPads for students: The NYC Department of Education is lending internet-enabled iPads to students to help with remote learning. To request an iPad, families can fill out the form found here or call (718) 935-5100 and press 5.
- Unlimited data, hotspots, etc.: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Comcast have pledged to not terminate customers’ service because of inability to pay, to waive any late fees that residential or small business customers receive, and to expand their hotspot data and provide unlimited data to all customers. Contact your provider to ask about details and availability.
Wellness
- The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center remains open Monday-Saturday to provide free, confidential care to young people 10-26 years old, regardless of immigration or insurance status. We encourage all to remain home unless you have an immediate health need. Learn more.
- Information on sex and COVID-19, from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
- COVID-19 & Autism and Resources and Activities for Teens and Adults with Autism (Resources from the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment)
- Insurance enrollment: Through June 15th, 2020, health insurance enrollment is open for uninsured New Yorkers as part of a Special Enrollment Period. Complete the form at this link or call 311 for free enrollment assistance.
- COVID-19 NYC Testing Sites: Testing sites are walk-ins only, and no appointment is required. Anyone wanting to be tested will be accepted. Learn more.
Bronx
Gotham Health – Morrisania
1225 Gerard Avenue
Bronx, NY 10452
Monday – Friday 9 AM – 3:30 PM
Brooklyn
Gotham Health – East New York
2094 Pitkin Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11207
Monday – Friday: 9 AM to 3:30 PM
Manhattan
Sydenham Family Health Center
264 West 118th Street
NewYork, NY 10026
Monday – Friday 9 AM – 3:30 PM
Queens
Queens Hospital
82-68 164th Street
Jamaica, NY 11432
Monday – Friday 9 AM – 4 PM
Staten Island
Vanderbilt HealthCenter
165 Vanderbilt Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10304
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Mental Health Support
Tools to help manage stress
- COVID-19 & Mental Health: A Guide for Young People includes tips for managing stress, staying connected with friends and taking care of yourself while in quarantine.
- NYC Well’s library of mental health apps for dealing with COVID-19 stress.
- CDC: Managing Stress & Anxiety (COVID-19 specific)
- National Center for PTSD: COVID-19: Resources for Managing Stress
- Headspace is offering free meditations and mindfulness exercises on a page designed specifically for New Yorkers. These exercises include meditations to reduce stress, help with sleep, and ones designed specifically for kids.
- Balance (a mindfulness and meditation app) is currently offering free one-year subscriptions. For instructions, email access@balanceapp.com.
- Calm provides a variety of free meditation and mindfulness exercises designed to help with COVID-19-related stress.
- Additional free or low-cost apps designed to help with stress
- Additional list of free apps and services from GadgetHacks, including games, TV shows, mindfulness and workout apps, and more.
- If you have lost a loved one during quarantine, the Mutual Aid Mourning and Healing Project may be able to help you set up an online service or provide other support during this difficult time.
Help lines
- NYC Well can provide free support for you or someone you care for with problems like stress, depression, anxiety, or drug and alcohol use. Text WELL to 65173, call 1-888-NYC-WELL or go to their website to use their online chat feature.
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to get connected to a counselor.
- The Trevor Project: For LGBTQ youth; connect with a trained counselor by calling 1-866-488-7386, texting START to 678678, or using the TrevorChat service on their website.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Call or text 1-800-422-4453 or use the live chat feature on their website. The Hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are confidential.
- Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- LoveisRespect: For young victims/survivors of dating violence/abuse/unhealthy relationships; Call 1-866-331-9474 or text loveis to 22522
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233 or use the chat feature on their website. En Español: https://espanol.thehotline.org/.
LGBTQ Resources
- Know Your Rights Guide for Transgender New Yorkers Navigating COVID-19
- Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
- The Trevor Project: For LGBTQ youth; connect with a trained counselor by calling 1-866-488-7386, texting START to 678678, or using the TrevorChat service on their website.
- 25 Fundraisers Giving Money and Hope to LGBTQ+ People During COVID-19 (from them.)
Resources for Undocumented & DACAmented Communities
- DACA Updates During the Coronavirus Crisis
- New York State Youth Leadership Council’s Resource List focused on undocumented youth and families in NYC includes emergency funds, mental health support, bills assistance, and other NYC-specific info and resources.
- COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Communities: Includes nationwide & New York-specific resources
Other services
- Free tutoring: GoPeer pairs students ages 5-18 with college students for on-on-one tutoring. They’re offering free services with the code FREE120.
- Free temporary storage: UHaul is offering free 30-day storage to college students who have had to move due to the coronavirus school closures. This offer only applies to new customers with valid college IDs, and is based on availability. Call 1-800-GO-UHAUL or visit uhaul.com to access these services. Learn more about the policy here.
- Rent books digitally from the New York Public Library with their SimplyE app.
- New York Public Library Remote Research Services
- Scholastic Learn at Home: Free digital learning activities by grade, PreK-Grade 9
The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center is located in New York City. It provides comprehensive, confidential, judgment free health care at no charge to over 12,000 young people every year. This column is not intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual, only general information for education purposes only.