A new Facebook page, online town-hall meetings and a new resident portal have all brought MHACY residents closer together despite the pandemic.
In March 2020 for the first time MHACY started its own Facebook page that as of January had 1,021 followers. Through Facebook MHACY has been able to share important information on COVID-19, emergency procedures as well as make residents aware of cultural programs and community news. Posts include MHACY news and initiatives, Yonkers resources for residents (ie. library, food pantry), cultural experiences, virtual events with community organizations.
MHACY President and CEO Wilson Kimball each month hosts live town hall meetings on Facebook featuring a variety of guests discussing current, relevant topics. MHACY held 9 town hall meetings in 2020 with 8,457 views. In June after the death of George Floyd, MHACY held a moving memorial town hall featuring former New York State Governor David Paterson; NYS Senator and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins; Westchester County Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins and The Rev. Julius Walls, Pastor, Greater Hood Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. Other programs have featured Donald Tom, Vice President for Morgan Stanley’s Private Banking Group, who held two separate informational programs on homeownership and building credit. Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler and Dr. Dial Hewlett, Medical Director of the Westchester County Health Department’s Division of Disease Control also appeared to speak about COVID and the vaccination process.
More residents than ever before have been able to apply for affordable housing on- line and perform tasks like paying rent, requesting repairs and updating personal information thanks to MHACY’s new resident portal — Rent Café. Hundreds of residents have signed up, including seniors who learned new on-line skills during the pandemic.
“The resident portal is amazing tool that allows residents to do so many tasks and communicate with us much more easily,’’ said Kimball.