The Emergency Shelter Network is a subsidiary of New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS) that s WHO WE ARE
The NYC Emergency Shelter Network (ESN).
is a New York not-for-profit corporation devoted to aiding, supporting and representing its members: a coalition of 41 homeless shelters, operated primarily by volunteers, serving homeless adult individuals throughout the five boroughs of New York City. HOW WE WORK
The ESN is not a governmental agency. We operate in collaboration with New York City’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) by provi
ding additional beds (shelter) to homeless adult individuals. Our network is an alternative to the City-operated shelters. The DHS contracts with a number of drop-in centers in the five boroughs. These drop-in centers allow homeless individuals to come in off the street and obtain various social services. Though two drop-in centers are open 24 hours a day and allow a limited number of guests to sleep in chairs, many men and women are assigned to shelter-site beds throughout the ESN. Each evening, after a screening which includes a sobriety, health, and weapons check, individual men and women are transported to an ESN shelter. Though each shelter has its own set of regulations and offerings, our guests most often receive a meal and, of course, a safe place to sleep while also accessing the company of devoted volunteers. In the morning, a snack or breakfast is offered and return transportation is provided to the origin drop-in center. It is the ESN’s belief that the personal attention, intimate setting (member shelters accomodate a maximum of 20 guests), and most importantly respect, give our guests a firm foundation to move out of homelessness, ESN’s ultimate goal. We look forward to the day when we will be out of business and the cruel problem of homelessness is solved. OUR HISTORY
In January of 1983, then Mayor Ed Koch, in a speech given at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, implored the faith-based community to help with the problem of the growing numbers of homeless in the city. Several congregations responded and a network of volunteer-run shelters was born. In 2008 this network of shelters formalized their common cause and became known as the Emergency Shelter Network (ESN). In 2013, after thirty years of providing shelter and assistance to the homeless, the ESN was established as a 501(c)(3) organization devoted to serving its members and their mission to provide shelter, assistance, and support to their homeless guests. In 2019, ESN became a subsidiary of New York Disaster Interfaith Services. WHAT WE DO
The ESN’s organizational mission encompasses four main areas:
SERVICE: Aids and supports member shelters with operational issues. REPRESENTATION: Represents all of the member shelters in its network. FUND RAISING: Provides funding to offset member shelter expenditures. ADVOCACY: Advocates on issues specific to its members as well as on behalf of the homeless guests served by the network.
