SOCIAL SERVICES

As a trusted center of our Brooklyn community, the H.E.S. plays a vital role in supporting our neighbors. During the past year, the agency has served 106,858 community members through our Food Pantry, benefits access and connecting our patrons to community resources.

From family wellness to food and financial support, the H.E.S. provides a variety of community support services.

Educational Workshops & Consultations

We conduct workshops aimed at helping adults, families, and children learn strategies for success while they connect with their peers. Topics include financial literacy, educational and job skills, safety, preparing our children for the future, and much more!

We provide a forum for parents to connect with each other as they learn to navigate the social, emotional, financial, and physical needs of children with disabilities.

Community Health

Our staff works to improve health outcomes and increase vaccination rates through the NYC Public Health Equity initiatives. H.E.S.’s OASAS funded Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program uses proven evidence-based practices to reach more than 2,000 Brooklyn residents annually. Senior services, offered in collaboration with other agencies.

Food Pantry

The HES Food Pantry provides food to countless residents of the Canarsie area. For more information about how we can help ensure your family doesn’t go hungry and to register or make your monthly pick-up appointment, contact the HES Food Pantry at (718) 241-3000 ext. 4 or email hespantry@thehes.org.

Referrals

Not sure where to turn when you have questions about the emotional, educational, social, and day-to-day needs of your family? Let us assist you in finding the next step to ensure that you can maintain a happy and healthy life that you deserve for yourself and your family.

Prevention Services

We strive to help our children develop the life skills they need to become successful adults. Social, self-esteem building, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and communication skills are all a part of our programs designed to help children avoid high-risk behaviors and fulfill their full potential.

For more information about Community Support or Social Services and Community Engagement, please email socialservices@thehes.org or call (718) 241-3000 ext. 129.

NYC FREE TAX PREP

If you earned $80K or less with dependents or $56K or less without dependents, you can file for free with the Met Council Helpline.

For appointments, please call (212) 453-9532.

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) connects NYC youth with career exploration opportunities and paid work experience each summer.

Through SYEP, participants can explore different interests and career pathways, develop productive workplace habits, and engage in learning experiences that strengthen their social, civic, and leadership skills.

Prospective SYEP Participants:

At H.E.S., we welcome SYEP participants this summer, between the ages of 16 and 24. To sign up, follow the below instructions:

Step 1: Go to SYEP

Step 2: Scroll down and click on Apply to 2023 SYEP

Step 3: Click on Apply Now

Step 4: Create a username and password

Step 5: Fill out application

Step 6: Part of the online application process will ask you to select an organization. If you would like to be placed at the H.E.S., you must select either:

COJO (Council of Jewish Organization) – Brooklyn
Italian American Civil Rights League – Brooklyn

Step 7: Once you press submit, please print out the confirmation page and submit to Steven at the H.E.S. or email it to Steven at steven@thehes.org. Please write your first and last name on the confirmation page.

Get Your Taxes Done for Free and Keep Your Entire Refund

If you earned $80K or less with dependents or $56K or less without dependents, you can file for free with the Met Council Helpline.

Appointments Available Virtually or In-Person

Mon – Thurs: 9 am – 5 pm
Friday 9 am – 2 pm

Call Met Council’s Benefits Helpline to make an appointment at (212) 453-9532.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to alcohol, drugs, or gambling, the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports provide programs and help. Whether you need to talk or are worried that you will go into withdrawal or relapse, the OASAS addiction treatment and recovery services are available for you.

For insurance rights and questions, call the NYS Behavioral Health Ombudsman Office’s Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP) at (888) 614-5400 or email ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.

To find a provider, go here.

Contact New York State’s Hopeline to find help and resources: Call: (877) 846-7369. Text: 467369.

To find a recovery center or open-access center, go here.

Become a part of the H.E.S. family and team!

The H.E.S. is currently hiring for a variety of roles. To see all our current job openings, click here.

Candidates are welcome to apply directly to the H.E.S. by emailing resumes and cover letters to Jobs@thehes.org. Please ensure to include the position title in the subject of the email.

We look forward to hearing from you.

The H.E.S. has compiled a variety of NYC community resources for you and your family. These resources will be updated regularly as we become aware of new information and programs to share.

General Resources for New York City

1) Tenant Resource Portal helps residential renters access free resources from the City to help prevent evictions and keep tenants stably housed. The portal is available in English and Spanish and provides Google Translate in all other languages. It brings together resources from multiple city agencies, city-funded nonprofit legal service organizations, and Community Based Organizations, to better improve and streamline how tenants can learn about the options that may be available to them.

2) Stop the spread of misinformation about COVID19 and stand against stigma. If you have been harassed or discriminated against due to race, national origin, age, or disability, contact NYC Commission on Human Rights by calling 311. Call 911 if you are a victim of or witness a hate crime. For more info, go here.

3) While Black in NYC: Protections Against Discrimination for Black New Yorkers. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against or harassed because of their race, color, or national origin, call 212-416-0197. For more info, go here.

4) NYC’s Immigrant Affairs Department provides an extensive array of legal services, city services and asylum seekers help. All info can be accessed here.

5) It is illegal for stores to overcharge you. If you think a store excessively overcharged you by price gouging and posting one price and charging you more than the posted price, you can file a complaint by calling call 311 and say “Overcharge.” For more info, go here.

Jobs and Financial Services

1) Filing Taxes for Free. If you earned $80k or less with dependents or $56k or less without dependents, you can file for free with Met Council Helpline. Call 212-453-9532.

2) NYC government job opportunities can be found here.

Mental and Physical Healh Resources

1) All NYC-related information about COVID-19, including general vaccine and booster info, finding a testing site, free at-home COVID tests, and the latest data are all located here.

2) For NYC health information and efforts to keep New Yorkers healthy, go the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s website here.

3) In NYC, access to health care is a right. Enrolling in health insurance can be confusing and hard to navigate. A GetCoveredNYC Specialist from the NYC Public Engagement Unit help you navigate the process. Enroll by the 15th of the month for coverage starting on the 1st of the following month.

4) If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, NYCWell can help. Call 1-888-NYC-WELL, Text “WELL” to 65173, or chat online here.

5) If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to alcohol, drugs, or gambling, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) provides addiction treatment and recovery services. More info about OASAS is here.

o To find a OASAS provider go here.

o Call OASAS’s Hopeline to find help and resources 24/7 at (877) 846-7369 or text 467369. All calls are toll-free and confidential.

6) For insurance rights and questions, call the NYS Behavioral Health Ombudsman Office (Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project – CHAMP) at (888) 614-5400 or eamil ombuds@oasas.ny.gov.

National and CDC Health Information

1) CDC- Tips on Managing and Coping with Stress

2) The National Institute of Mental Health Information Resource Center

3) U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Mental Health Services

4) U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Resources to Support Adolescent Health

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023

Thank you to all of our staff and volunteers that joined us for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

Together, we packed 200 containers of soup that were donated to senior homes and 200 care packages that were donated to two shelters. Along with the care packages, 128 clean coats were donated to those shelters, as well. Our Food Pantry packaged 55 boxes for pick up orders. Children created an “I Have a Dream” cloud in the Arts and Craft Center. We also had the opportunity to provide our community with free mammogram screenings in partnership with American Italian Cancer Center.

As a community we came together, served many people in our community and made an impact. We had a wonderful MLK Day.

If you are interested in other volunteer opportunities with the H.E.S., we have a robust Volunteer Program. Volunteer opportunities are open in the following departments- Food Pantry, Sports, Disability Services, After School, Early Childhood and Administrative. You can inquire about volunteer opportunities by sending an email to volunteer@thehes.org. Please join us for future community events!

Stand Together

The H.E.S. has and will always stand against hate. No matter who it affects, or how it takes shape. Year after year, our family and community works tirelessly to embrace diversity in every form. We practice inclusion, advocate tolerance, and give our shared community of cultures and ideas a space to grow together, share dialogue, and learn from one another.

But this work cannot end at our building’s boundaries, and we refuse to let it stop there. The H.E.S. will always forge forward to bring a voice to those that feel silenced, and to help those in dire need. We advocate for nothing less than absolute equality, equity, and dignity for all. Rights that cannot and will not be influenced by shape, culture, creed, color, or community.

The journey may be long, but we will make it there together.

The H.E.S. is proud to provide Food Pantry services to our Brooklyn community; ALL are welcome.

In order to get a food pantry ID, you must come into the H.E.S to get an ID card. Once you have a Pantry ID, order using our Digital Pantry System. Instructions on how to order using our Digital Pantry System. The Food Pantry operates by appointment only and an ID is required for pick-up. You can utilize our Food Pantry once a month. You must come at your scheduled appointment date and time. Please understand that no boxes will be held past your appointment date.

There will be a new and improved Digital Pantry System coming Summer of 2023. Please prepare for this new system, by updating your pantry manager with current contact details (email address, phone number, etc.)

Pick Up Days and Hours:

Mon, Wed, Thur | 9:30 am – 2 pm

Tues | 1 pm – 6 pm

Every other Sun | 10 am – 12 pm

For more information about the Pantry, please email hespantry@thehes.org or call Ilene Stavrach at 718-241-3000 ext. 124.

In partnership with Met Council, all meals provided are Kosher certified.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP provides monthly benefits that can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and some online retailers. SNAP helps millions of New Yorkers keep and supplement food on their tables.

The Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) can determine if you may be eligible for SNAP. H.E.S. can also help you complete and submit your application.

Contact NOEP for a free and confidential assessment of your eligibility.

For more information, contact NOEP by phone at (347) 880-2922 or email bfrancis@metcouncil.org.