NEW YORK, April 9, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Open Center, the country's longest running urban holistic health and education center, announced today the launch of New Yorkers for New York, a free public service created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. New Yorkers for New York will provide frontline and essential workers, as well as all other local residents struggling with stress and anxiety, the mental and emotional wellness support they need right now amidst the city's current health crisis. The program will offer an array of free tools, resources and services to those working to keep our community healthy, safe and nourished.
As part of this initiative, The Open Center, an iconic NYC non-profit organization founded in 1984, has created an easy-to-use toolkit to reduce stress or anxiety in a matter of seconds. The organization will also provide to strengthen, build resilience and provide comfort during this demanding time in New York. This is an adaptive program, which will continue to evolve in real-time, in order to bring together the local community and meet the needs of our friends, neighbors and family members.
"During times of crisis, nonprofits such as The Open Center have only one choice - step directly into the need and help as many people as possible," says Ross Guttler, Chief Executive Officer of The Open Center. "We are proud to announce the launch of New Yorkers for New York, a new program that will not only address the intense stress of our greater community, but directly support all frontline and essential workers. Our mental and emotional wellness toolkit was specifically designed for those in the thick of the fight against COVID-19 with no time to spare. For over 36 years, we have served the people of New York City. This is our responsibility. This is our obligation to the city we love."
New Yorkers for New York also brings together the efforts of other partner mission-led initiatives, including NYC COVID Care Network, a grassroots group of more than 3,000+ volunteers to provide individual and small group healing and therapies sessions, as well as the nonprofit organization Operation Warrior Shield to reach NYC's first responders and service members, including members of the NYPD, FDNY, veterans and more.
"Operation Warrior Shield(OWS) is a longtime partner of The Open Center in NYC, because we understand and have seen how impactful trauma defense has become for our frontline workers," says Founder of Operation Warrior Shield, CMSgt(ret), Edward Schloeman. "This partnership offers comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans, first responders and their families to help heal their hidden wounds."
New Yorkers for New York's offering of free stress management tools are designed I for NYC's frontline, with an open door policy for anyone struggling with well-being during COVID-19. These holistic practices are aimed at making us healthier and stronger, and more connected both to ourselves and to our community.
Complimentary offerings include:
- A Toolkit for Managing Stress and Anxiety: Designed specifically for frontline workers with limited time, these programs and resources will help you breathe, manage anxiety and get through the day
- 1:1 Counseling and Small Group Healing and Therapy Sessions
- On-Demand Library of Wellness Resources: Access The Open Center's library of resources, including videos, podcasts, articles and more from leading holistic wellness and spirituality experts
"Our front line and essential workers are fighting around the clock to support and keep the world safe around them," says Dara Blumenthal PhD, spokesperson and organizer for the NYC Covid Care Network. "In a few short weeks we have gathered a communal movement with over 3,000 certified volunteer specialists around the country to offer mental and wellness offerings to any essential workers who need support. Our hope is to help the frontline workers deal with the traumas of their daily reality and to keep them strong throughout this entire fight against COVID-19."
To support other hard-hit cities, The Open Center is creating a "launch kit" containing resources and guidance to help other organizations and volunteers from local chapters of this community initiative to ensure frontline and essential workers all over the world receive the critical care they need.
Essential workers can access support online at the New Yorkers for New York website, http://www.newyorkersfornewyork.org, where volunteers and other organizations may also offer their services.
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About The NY Open Center
The Open Center is the country's longest-running urban holistic health and education center and the epicenter of personal growth and spiritual practice in New York City. Since 1984, the non-profit organization's pioneering programs have served as a focal point for holistic thought and practice and have been transformative in seeding a global interest in spiritual inquiry, healing arts, personal growth, bodywork and movement. Whether you are curious and looking for another way of life, newly engaged in a healing practice, a serious spiritual seeker or have made it your life's work, The Open Center welcomes you. In person or online, The Open Center provides a safe place for people to heal the body, nourish the soul and awaken the spirit. Learn more at opencenter.org
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