Developing Leaders for the Renaissance of New York

Supporting Your Child

This page includes many helpful documents and resources to support your child both academically and emotionally, from experts in the field and our own staff, especially during the current Covid-19 Virus crisis. 

This list of Resources During COVID may be useful to you.

Renaissance Mental Health Providers have created a website of resources.

Now that the city is beginning to relax the protocols around COVID-19 and we are able to move around more freely and get outside, life seems a little more normal.  But it’s still important to realize that some fear and anxiety may remain.  We need to help children feel safe, keep healthy routines, manage their emotions and behavior and build resilience. 

As COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decline, NYC Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi and the NYC Schools Chancellor, Meisha Porter, are sharing guidance, information, and encouragement on vaccination for our community. Please see this letter. 

Speaking to your child about violence Unfortunately, recent events around the country may have left your child feeling anxious about their safety, especially at school. The following site will give you tips on how to speak to your child about this subject.
“Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers”

Know Your Rights: The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs has developed multilingual fact sheets, videos, and other materials in multiple languages on knowing your rights in an encounter with federal immigration enforcement. They can be found at NYC.gov/KnowYourRights. This page also includes information about ActionNYC, which provides connections to City-funded, free and safe immigration legal help available to all New Yorkers. Immigration status does not matter.

For Parents of Children with Special Needs

If you have children with special needs, these websites will provide you with helpful information on everything from finding health care to summer camps, to scholarships, information on college planning, and support networks for parents.

Family Assistance

Housing Insecurity: 

  • Rental Assistance: For NYC residents, view information about more rental assistance programs.
  • Hotlines for Eviction Notices:
  • Call Housing Court Answers, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday: 212-962-4795 or 718-557-1379. Calls are available in Spanish, English and French, and interpreters are used for all other languages through a translation service.
  • Call Homebase or 311. Use the Homebase locator to find your local Homebase provider.  Ask about Project Parachute for rental assistance, eviction prevention, and financial services while experience an immediate housing crisis, regardless of immigration status.  

Food Insecurity:   

  • Starting June 28 and through the summer, all New Yorkers can receive free “Grab & Go” meals across the city. No registration, documentation, or ID is required. Meals locations are open to children, families, and the general public daily, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vegetarian meals are available at all locations, and Kosher and Halal meals are offered at select locations. Locations will be searchable using the online tool, or via the School Food app.
  • Find a Food Bank near you.

SingleMothersGrants is an online site that helps low income families with finding financial assistance programs. The directory lists assistance programs that help with utility, energy, mortgage, rent and medical bills.