The Fortune Society, Inc.

The global coronavirus has brought uncertainty and anxiety into people’s lives, workplaces, and neighborhoods, particularly for those who work to improve the health of our communities.

During this difficult time, many organizations across New York State are working tirelessly to keep people safe, especially the most vulnerable. In response, NYHealth is supporting statewide and local efforts to address emerging health care and public health needs in the wake of the pandemic. In 2020, NYHealth awarded The Fortune Society a grant to provide support to formerly incarcerated New Yorkers with virtual discharge planning and reentry services, including wellness check-ins, connections to health and food access benefits, and housing.

Under this grant, The Fortune Society continued to provide wellness check-ins and outreach to current and former clients to assess their health and service needs and provide referrals to services such as mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and access to benefits. It also provided virtual discharge planning and reentry services for individuals being released from Rikers Island jail, including providing housing to individuals at its newest housing facility in West Harlem. Additionally, The Fortune Society connected and enrolled clients in health and food access benefits that they needed to successfully reenter their communities.

View a complete list of NYHealth COVID-19 Response and Relief Efforts grantees.