I'm hoping that members of the greater Radical Reference community will consider sending some funds towards a local NYC group that, among other things, provides space for a books-to-prisoners group (with which I happen to be involved as well). Pass it on!
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Hello all -- This is a message from Books Through Bars, NYC's volunteer books-to-prisoners collective, about the recent fire and water damage at the New York City AIDS Housing Network, which has generously hosted us while we await ABC No Rio’s renovation.
On Monday September 14th there was a fire in a private apartment above NYCAHN. No one was badly hurt, but water from the firehoses created significant water damage throughout the building. Electricity is still shut off, supplies and books meant for prisoners have been destroyed, and the future is uncertain.
Along with hosting BTB rent-free, NYCAHN serves as a drop-in center for people without homes, a center for organizing & lobbying against draconian drug and housing laws, and host for many support groups, and overall is a busy, progressive space in a rapidly-gentrifying neighborhood in Brooklyn. (Read more at www.nycahn.org.) Restoring their space is a must for the community.
We need the help of NYCAHN's and Books Through Bars' supporters for both fundraising and physical labor to get the space up and running again. Can you help us?
Financial contributions are the most important way you can help. If you are able to make a contribution, read the email from NYCAHN's Charles Long below about how to best support the emergency repair work. Anything is appreciated.
For those who can't give financially but would like to help out in clean-up, tear-out and fix-up days, get in touch with BTB to get updates about upcoming NYCAHN work days. If you or someone you know has special skills/training in carpentry, drywall, construction and related trades, we especially need you. Our email is btb (at) abcnorio (dot) org, or leave a message at 212.254.3697 ext. 26.
Thank you for your help! It's been essential for Books Through Bars to have a free space to work because we need to spend as much of our money as possible on postage to send books to people in prison and jail. These are difficult days for Books Through Bars, but prisoners still need books to read, and with your help we will get through. Thank you!
The Books Through Bars Collective
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Dear Friends, Family & Allies,
Some of you may already be aware but, Monday morning a fire occurred in the building of the NYCAHN/VOCAL offices. Above all we are thankful that no staff, members or neighbors were injured as a result of the fire. The fire started above our offices and in the effort to extinguish it our offices space suffered extensive water and smoke damage.
Our work over the last decade has resulted in the creation of thousands of units of affordable housing for low income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. As the epidemic and and we have grown, a almost decade old constant has been the office. Recently it had become clear that we needed to renovate and for the last few weeks members and staff
have taken it on themselves to get it done.
With volunteer labor, borrowed tools and recycled materials, we had begun creating an office to accommodate our growth and hopes for the space. Monday's water and fire damage has slowed, but not stopped us and we need your help!
Our insurance coverage can only cover a percentage of the work that now must be professionally completed. Your support today, will help us rebuild and get back to building power in our membership.
As an added bonus your support will help us continue to house community programs like Books Through Bars, our weekly food pantry, overdose prevention trainings, and support groups. Here are ways you can help TODAY!!!
1. Make a $100, $50, $25 donation or whatever you can afford here (www.nycahn.org/donate.html)
2. Forward this email to your friends and family.
3. Become a sustaining donor with a recurring monthly gift using your credit card or checking account. This will ensure that you join the NYCAHN/VOCAL capital campaign and we will commemorate your donation in our newly renovated space.
4. Join the capital campaign committee by contacting Charles Long at Charles (at) nycahn (dot) org.
Thank you for all of your ongoing love and support
Charles R. Long
Director of Development and Communications
New York City AIDS Housing Network (NYCAHN)
80-A Fourth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 802- 9540 Office
(347) 200- 7248 Cell
(718) 228-2477 ***NEW FAX***
www.nycahn.org
