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Letter from the Commissioner

Dear Colleagues and Friends:

This is a critical moment in the world. With the situation quickly evolving, we must all do our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and protecting the health and well-being of our community—especially as it impacts our families, our staff, and our clients.

On Tuesday, we made the very difficult decision to temporarily close the NYC Family Justice Centers (FJC). We’ve made arrangements for our FJCs to be able to serve survivors by phone while adopting social distancing and working from home. Many of our community-based organizations (CBOs) and partner agencies have also moved to telecommuting. Our goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees while maintaining high levels of responsiveness to our clients. Our Centers and FJC staff remain available by phone  to provide immediate crisis support and advocacy. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., we are answering the FJC phone lines and connecting clients to our CBO’s and partner agencies to provide vital services including legal consultations, counseling sessions, safety planning, case management sessions, and more.

Survivors can reach us directly at each of our FJCs, in:

  • Brooklyn:                   718-250-5113
  • The Bronx:                718-508-1220
  • Manhattan:                212-602-2800
  • Queens:                     718-575-4545
  • Staten Island:           718-697-4300

During evenings and weekends, survivors can access help and resources by calling the City’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-621-HOPE (4673). Survivors can also visit the NYC HOPE Resource Directory at nyc.gov/NYCHOPE to get additional resources and information.

The current COVID-19 public health crisis touches the life of every New Yorker. We also know that survivors of domestic and gender-based violence may face additional risks and stress with more time spent at home. Survivors need us, now more than ever, and our top priority is to ensure continuity of services and unwavering support.

As we continue in our shared mission to deliver vital services to survivors, please also remember to practice self-care. If you are experiencing stress or feeling anxious, please reach out for help. You can find support through NYC Well by calling 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355) or texting “WELL” to 65173.

By taking the necessary precautions and supporting each other, we will all get through this challenging time together.

I wish you and your loved ones good health and safety.

Regards,
Cecile Noel, Commissioner