Despite the City’s best efforts to lead a data-informed, equitable rollout of its vaccine distribution, those living in the margins continue to experience the very worst of this pandemic. In a city as diverse as New York, nuanced provision of service to communities of color, public housing residents, chronically ill older adults, and those living fearfully below the poverty line within wealthy neighborhoods, will remain critical. Isaacs Center is immensely proud to have partnered with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Test & Trace Corps, to serve as a City vaccination site last week, and delivered more than 460 vaccinations (far exceeding daily targets) to those in the community who would not otherwise have access and continue to shoulder the burden of citywide health inequities.
The public health crisis has boldly highlighted the essentiality of community-based organizations and the unwavering dedication of those in its diverse workforce. Recovery will continue to depend largely on the City’s crucial partnership with the human services sector – and organizations like Isaacs Center – that play key, ground-level roles in combatting the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable communities. We remain truly grateful to our skilled, dynamic resident leaders, our essential workforce, and our elected officials, whose tireless dedication continue to provide hope and access to those too often left behind.