Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. During December, we encourage you to support local organizations by helping them, help others! This week we focus on a few of the groups that have been featured in our spotlight series.  

SAGE Centers of New York offer extensive services and programs to older LGBTQ+ people throughout New York City (and nationwide). Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE) is a national organization of loving, caring activists dedicated to providing advocacy, services, and support to older members of the LGBTQ+ community. The SAGE Centers offer meals, classes, case management, informational resources, veterans’ services, social events, support groups, and more. In addition, their calendars are full of helpful, fun, and useful activities. You can find information about volunteering HERE and about donating HERE. Read the original spotlight on SAGE NYC HERE and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Elmhurst Hospital Auxiliary is a volunteer membership-based healthcare organization. For more than 85 years, the auxiliary has supported services and care at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst in Queens, which provides healthcare to a diverse community of patients from around the world. In addition, they offer opportunities for volunteers and donors to participate through fundraising, organizing, and promoting special events such as their annual Gala and community outreach services. Read the blog we posted about Elmhurst Hospital Auxilary last year and consider supporting the Auxiliary through a tax-deductible financial gift that will be used in the Pediatric Services Program, Quality of Life initiatives, special events and outreach opportunities for the community, baby equipment in the Maternal/Child Care Program, and more. You can also support the Auxiliary and the hospital by becoming a member or volunteer.

The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families (CHCF) works to enrich Latinx youth and their loved ones through education, self-agency, and advocacy. What sets CHCF apart from other great organizations is its holistic, communal approach at the local, state, and national levels to advance the next generation. Join us in supporting CHCF and its efforts to combine education, capacity-building, and advocacy to strengthen the support system and continuum of learning for children and youth in our community. Consider a donation today! Read more HERE and stay up-to-date on their outstanding work on Facebook and Instagram.

Urban Upbound is dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty in New York City public housing and other low-income neighborhoods. Through five comprehensive, integrated programs, they provide underserved youth and adults with the tools, resources, and services needed to achieve economic prosperity and self-sufficiency. Their services target 30,000 individuals living in public housing neighborhoods through multiple program sites in Queens, the South Bronx, and East Harlem. Working with city agencies, businesses, community partners, volunteers, and residents, they foster a culture of opportunity driven by each community’s natural assets. Our spotlight on Urban Upbound will tell you more; we hope it will inspire you to donate or get involved! Want to learn more? Keep an eye on their excellent work and results via Facebook and Instagram!

CUNY Citizenship Now is the largest university legal assistance program in the nation. Their attorneys and paralegals provide free and confidential citizenship and immigration law services to more than 12,000 individuals annually. The services they provide are open to the public based on availability. There is no minimum income requirement. The program offers legal services, such as applications for citizenship, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and family-based petitions. More information is available HERE. Furthermore, they would welcome your help and donations. Follow the progress of all those involved on Facebook and Instagram.

Finally, we take a moment to bring your attention one again to the issue of food insecurity that continues to plague our neighbors across the city. Food insecurity is a problem for at least 1.5 million New Yorkers, including one in four children. We hope you will consider joining us in suportig the fight against food equity and insecurity. Groups like The Campaign Against Hunger (TAKE ACTION or GIVE), North Brooklyn Angels (TAKE ACTION or GIVE), ReThink Food (Take Action or Give), and City Harvest (TAKE ACTION or GIVE) all do so much to help those in need of a meal and more.

While making seasonal memories, please consider giving your time or donating to one or more of these wonderful organizations. Together, we can all ensure that 2023 will be a banner year for everyone in New York City!