Housing Works
Encyclopedia
Housing Works is a New York City
based non-profit fighting the twin crises of AIDS
and homelessness
. The charity is well-known for its operations, which have recently included outreach to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
In 1990, four members of the famous AIDS activist group ACT UP—Keith Cylar, Charles King, Eric Sawyer and Virginia Shubert—decided to dedicate themselves to serving one of New York City’s most neglected populations: the tens of thousands of homeless men, women, and children in New York City living with HIV and AIDS. The activists called their new group Housing Works because they believed that stable housing was the key to helping HIV-positive people live healthy and fulfilling lives and to prevent the further spread of the virus.
company and a screen printing business as social enterprises to support their work and lower their dependence on grant
s and donation
s. They also provide health care
and legal aid
services. The group has satellite offices in Albany, New York
and Brooklyn, New York.
some feminine hygiene
products, another was an anti-love book talk, and yet another was a Tumblr
talk. Past events have included a spelling bee
for adults, and a "story time" for toddler
s.
reviews.
Housing Works Thrift Shop is featured in Seinfeld episode 173, "The Bookstore". George is forced to buy a book from Brentano's Bookstore because he took it in the restroom. He then tries to donate it to Housing Works Thrift Shop and claim a $200 tax write off but the clerk at the thrift shop used to work for Brentano's so she recoginizes the book has been flagged that it has been in the restroom and runs him out of the store.
. When Housing Works relief workers were forced to "abandon eight carry on bags filled with relief supplies" due to high fees, Delta Air Lines
agreed to ship the supplies for free.
The Works Catering produces high end Weddings and Special Events at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in Soho and throughout NYC. 100% of profits go directly to the mission of Housing Works, Inc. http://www.housingworks.org/theworks
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
based non-profit fighting the twin crises of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
and homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
. The charity is well-known for its operations, which have recently included outreach to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
In 1990, four members of the famous AIDS activist group ACT UP—Keith Cylar, Charles King, Eric Sawyer and Virginia Shubert—decided to dedicate themselves to serving one of New York City’s most neglected populations: the tens of thousands of homeless men, women, and children in New York City living with HIV and AIDS. The activists called their new group Housing Works because they believed that stable housing was the key to helping HIV-positive people live healthy and fulfilling lives and to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Operations
The organization runs a chain of twelve thrift shops, a bookstore, a cateringCatering
Catering is the business of providing foodservice at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house , or other location.-Mobile catering:A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart that is designed for the purpose...
company and a screen printing business as social enterprises to support their work and lower their dependence on grant
Grant (money)
Grants are funds disbursed by one party , often a Government Department, Corporation, Foundation or Trust, to a recipient, often a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business or an individual. In order to receive a grant, some form of "Grant Writing" often referred to as either a proposal...
s and donation
Donation
A donation is a gift given by physical or legal persons, typically for charitable purposes and/or to benefit a cause. A donation may take various forms, including cash, services, new or used goods including clothing, toys, food, and vehicles...
s. They also provide health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
and legal aid
Legal aid
Legal aid is the provision of assistance to people otherwise unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Legal aid is regarded as central in providing access to justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel and the right to a fair trial.A number of...
services. The group has satellite offices in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
and Brooklyn, New York.
Bookstore and cafe
The charity hired famous chef Michael Sherman as its catering chef for its bookstore cafe. The bookstore puts on a series of odd workshops; one in February 2010 focused on marketingMarketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
some feminine hygiene
Feminine hygiene
Feminine hygiene is a general euphemism used to describe personal care products used by women during menstruation, vaginal discharge, and other bodily functions related to the vulva...
products, another was an anti-love book talk, and yet another was a Tumblr
Tumblr
Tumblr is a website and microblogging platform that allows users to post text, images, videos, links, quotes and audio to their tumblelog, a short-form blog. Users can follow other users, or choose to make their tumblelog private. The service emphasizes ease of use. The site ranks as the 10th...
talk. Past events have included a spelling bee
Spelling bee
A spelling bee is a competition where contestants, usually children, are asked to spell English words. The concept is thought to have originated in the United States....
for adults, and a "story time" for toddler
Toddler
A toddler is a young child, usually defined as being between the ages of one and three. Registered nurse, midwife and author, Robin Barker, states 'Any time from eight months onwards your baby will begin to realise he is a separate person from you...
s.
Thrift shops
Housing Works is well known in New York City for its chain of upscale thrift shops. The New York Times frequently mentions the shops in its neighborhoodNeighborhoods of New York City
The Neighborhoods in New York City are located within "The Five Boroughs" of New York City.-Boroughs:New York City is split up into five boroughs, which are The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.-Community areas:...
reviews.
Housing Works Thrift Shop is featured in Seinfeld episode 173, "The Bookstore". George is forced to buy a book from Brentano's Bookstore because he took it in the restroom. He then tries to donate it to Housing Works Thrift Shop and claim a $200 tax write off but the clerk at the thrift shop used to work for Brentano's so she recoginizes the book has been flagged that it has been in the restroom and runs him out of the store.
Haiti earthquake relief
In early 2010, Housing Works became involved in providing assistance to victims of Haiti's earthquake, especially those living with HIV/AIDS, by re-building three health clinics. Housing Works CEO Charles King auctioned off his trademark pony tail, and one bidder was Evangelical preacher Rick WarrenRick Warren
Richard Duane "Rick" Warren is an American evangelical Christian minister and author. He is the founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church, an evangelical megachurch located in Lake Forest, California, currently the eighth-largest church in the United States...
. When Housing Works relief workers were forced to "abandon eight carry on bags filled with relief supplies" due to high fees, Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
agreed to ship the supplies for free.
Weddings, Catering, Bookstore, Special Events
Housing Works Weddings. "The Works Catering" and The "Housing Works Bookstore" are social enterprises that are part of and benefit Housing Works, Inc.The Works Catering produces high end Weddings and Special Events at the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in Soho and throughout NYC. 100% of profits go directly to the mission of Housing Works, Inc. http://www.housingworks.org/theworks