Accomplishments

The mission of BronxWorks is to help individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger community. BronxWorks made a difference in the lives of over 40,000 Bronx residents in the past year.

Our accomplishments for 2016 include the following:

FEED

• BronxWorks served over 600,000 meals and fed over 2,000 people.
• BronxWorks provided low-income individuals in communities deemed food deserts with 1.2 million pounds of fresh food  and via pantries distributed over 10,000 bags of food that had a value of over $300,000.
• Over 2,900 Bronx residents were engaged by nutrition education activities facilitated by BronxWorks.
• Nearly 1,000 people obtained SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits that had a total annual value of $2.7 million.

SHELTER

• As a result of the efforts of the BronxWorks Adult Homeless Services Department, there has been a 93% decline in the number of chronic street homeless people on Bronx streets between 2005 and 2016.
• BronxWorks is the social services provider for The Brook, where supportive housing services are provided for 120 previously homeless individuals, including 19 veterans.
• Our three family shelters were home to 276 families with about 1,000 people in 2016.
• 202 families with 700 people (including about 420 children) who were in a BronxWorks-operated shelter were placed in permanent housing.
• Our LINC II Home to Stay program helped 113 families exiting the shelter system secure rent subsidies.  The value of the subsidies was $2.1 million.
• The BronxWorks Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS) program helped 1,745 families with about 4,400 people avoid homelessness in 2016.  FEPS staff members helped families secure $6.8 million in arrears payments.
• Our Homebase eviction prevention program assisted 2,392 families with about 6,200 people in 2016.  Homebase provided $650,000 in arrears payments.

TEACH

• In 2016, BronxWorks-run preschool programs served 383 children who were five or younger, including 233 in shelters we operate.
• Programs that served elementary school aged children served 884 and those for middle school aged children served 1,458.
• Our programs for older youth served 1,097 who were in high school and 656 who were previously disconnected from education or employment opportunities.
• Our ESL program at 1130 Grand Concourse enrolled 219 adults in 2016.  Of this number, 202 or 92% posted educational gains and 189 moved to a higher level of English language proficiency. As a result of improved English language skills, 148 participants in our ESL program were able to pursue or obtain a job.  Another 23 enrolled in an HSE (high school equivalency) program, while 18 enrolled in college.
• The Workforce Development Department programs provided 236 persons with occupational skills training and placed 259 into jobs.
• In 2016, 1,295 seniors participated in educational activities at our four senior centers and the River Park Towers NORC. A total of 598 participated in technology activities, while 307 attended nutrition education classes.  Another 528 participated in arts or cultural activities.

SUPPORT

• Our Family Enrichment Program (FEP) enrolled 150 families that included 180 parents and 400 children. FEP received the Bronx Cares Certificate of Merit award from the Office of the Bronx Borough President and the Council of Family & Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA).  
• Our Community Care Coordination program served 252 people, while our HIV/AIDS case management, supportive services, and harm reduction programs engaged 307 people.  We tested 145 people for Hepatitis C and provided HIV/AIDS materials to 611.
• The BronxWorks walk-in offices provided 2,011 forms of assistance to 932 individuals in 2016.  Our Single Stop program provided some form of assistance to 1,749 persons.  The imputed value of benefits and services secured through Single Stop was $7.2 million.
• The four BronxWorks senior centers and the social services program at the River Park Towers NORC provided case assistance and information & referral services to 2,760 seniors.  Staff at our senior centers and the NORC logged 4,644 hours of case assistance and information & referral services.
• Our Immigration Legal Team assisted 1,071 people from 63 countries.  This includes 18 African countries, 11 Asian countries, nine European countries, nine South American countries, eight Caribbean countries, seven Central American countries, and Canada.
• The Health Benefit Exchange Navigator program screened 4,106 people.  Of this number, 3,910 were eligible for Navigator services and 3,897 were ultimately enrolled in a health insurance plan.  Our Community Health Advocates (CHA) program provided health insurance access assistance to 551 people.