Ruth Messinger + Da Homeless Hero: The Crisis of Homelessness in NYC

NEW YORK, NY (11/11/2020) (readMedia)-- On Thursday, a group of Jewish and other faith-based organizations will host a conversation with Shams DaBaron (a.k.a. Da Homeless Hero) and former Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger. The forum will address the challenges and opportunities that arise when the city locates a new homeless shelter in a neighborhood. Shams, who is a current resident of the Lucerne Hotel, will draw on his own experiences and personal journey through homelessness and the NYC shelter system.

Register here.

The event is co-sponsored by SAJ-Judaism that Stands for All, B'nai Jeshurun, Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York, St. Paul & St. Andrew, Kehilat Rayim Ahuvim, Base MNHTN, Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing, Manhattan Church of Christ, The Jewish Center, Broadway United Church of Christ, and Romemu.

Background

In late July, clients of Project Renewal were placed at the Lucene after being transferred from another hotel in Midtown. Soon after, Bill de Blasio caved to a minority of UWS residents who wielded money and political power to try and kick out the men of the Lucerne. In October, the men won a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to stay the Lucerne until the next hearing on November 16th. Thanks to this recent court victory residents are now receiving 6-day-a-week services on-site from Project Renewal's Recovery Center, which provides intakes, occupational therapy, and group meetings. At a standard shelter such services would normally only be available off-site.

Ruth Messinger represented the Upper West Side as City Councilperson from 1978 to 1989, and then served as Manhattan Borough President from 1990 to 1997, before serving as the President of American Jewish World Service for 20 years. She now does global and local social justice work including at the Center for Social Responsibility at the JCC.

Shams DaBaron is a writer and hip-hop pioneer who first experienced homelessness as a child, living on the streets after being discharged from the foster system at age 12. While in Project Renewal shelters, he has emerged as an advocate for his fellow residents, arguing for increased supportive services. DaBaron has spoken to local schools, including Rodeph Sholom, and multiple synagogues, sharing the perspective of an individual directly impacted by homelessness.