Reclaim the Heart... Hurricane Sandy Support Effort

WE WILL NOT BE SILENT

HURRICANE SANDY SUPPORT EFFORT

WE WILL NOT BE SILENT is an artist/activist collective that has been in existence since 2006. Through the creative use of language embodied on shirts and at times emboldened on signs held up in public spaces, we respond to current social justice issues, encouraging creative, direct public-actions where many people can participate.

The day after Hurricane Sandy devastated our neighborhoods in New York City, we immediately joined direct relief efforts responding to some of the dire needs of people affected by the storm in Red Hook, Brooklyn and in Far Rockaway, Queens. To this day, we continue to bring hot, wholesome food out to the people in these areas.

When we began, people had no services, no lights, no heat, no cooking gas and in many cases no relief services at all. Many people still face the devastating consequences of flooding and the general wreckage left behind by the storm. Many have lost their homes, their winter clothing, clean bedding, local food access, public transportation, access to medical care, etc.

We are responding directly and personally where we can.

We have cooked and delivered over 1,000 hot baked sweet potatoes, gallons of nutritious steaming hot soup, fresh organic fruits, wholesome hot oatmeal, grilled sandwiches, coconut rice and red beans, collard greens, roasted chicken, homemade cornbread, a Thanksgiving Dinner for an entire building, as well as a New Years Eve Dinner, too many cupcakes to count and gallons of milk and juices.

We have also helped in getting flashlights to people, mattresses and winter coats replaced and delivered close to 100 space heaters to provide some relief from the cold. We continue to make personal contact with individual people, to better understand and learn about specific needs in areas where we can provide help in the communities where we have developed relationships of mutual friendship, trust and respect.