Suggested Template of letter to Mayor Bloomberg

YOUR LETTERHEAD

July xxx, 2008

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, N.Y. 10007

Dear Mayor Bloomberg:

I am writing to join with Arnold Cohen, President of the Partnership for the Homeless, and the concerns he expressed in his letter to you on June 27, 2008. My congregation is a member of the Partnership’s faith-based shelter Network, and I too am troubled by the prospect of the Department of Homeless Services issuing a Request for Proposals as if this Network, formed more than 25 years ago under the aegis of the Partnership, could be simply put out for bid.

Please know that we are proud to be a member of this wonderful Network, which is one of the most successful public-private partnerships serving homeless people in the nation. Each night we provide shelter and community to hundreds of homeless adults who might otherwise be on the streets of our great city – an issue of great concern that I know you share.

And joining this Network with the Partnership for the Homeless means more than just turning over or leasing our space to the city for use as a shelter. We are motivated by our spiritual belief to serve our homeless neighbors; the rewards of providing aid and comfort to a fellow human being is a critical part of our ministry – as well as our faith’s imperative to engage in acts of social justice.

While we also share your concerns about those who have been labeled “chronically” homeless, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of others who are homeless on our streets today and who also require help through drop-in centers and our network of shelters, as we move toward more permanent solutions. And it is these homeless individuals (along with some of those who may be “chronically” homeless) who regularly are our guests - yes, that’s how we treat our homeless neighbors. And it would be inhumane if our guests somehow found their way back on to the streets or subway tunnels of our city as a result of the closing of drop-in centers and the restructuring of the faith-based shelter network.

Finally, as Arnold mentioned in his letter to you, we do believe that there is room for piloting new models while offering the needed services to our guests, whether labeled “chronically” homeless or not. It is this kind of discussion which we look forward to having with you and the Partnership for the Homeless.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.


Sincerely,


___________________________


cc: Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs
Commissioner Robert Hess
City Council Member ___________
State Senator ____________
State Assembly Member _________
Congressperson _____________
Senator Hillary R. Clinton
Senator Chuck Schumer
Borough President Scott Stringer
Mr. Arnold Cohen, The Partnership for the Homeless
Posted by Emergency Shelter Network at 1:21 PM 0 comments
Labels: faith network can use this format
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This blog was created to improve communication between PFTH and the Churches and Synagogues that comprise the NYC Emergency Shelter Network. If you have any questions please call Zoilo Torres, 212-645-3444 X403 or Desi Ruiz, X508.
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