The Floating Hospital

The Floating Hospital’s Golden Legacies Gala is three weeks away and we can now announce that Simon Jones of the HBO series “The Gilded Age” will take part as MC. The series, created and written by Julian Fellowes, is set in 1880s New York City. Jones plays Bannister, the butler who keeps the old money household and lives of the van Rhijn-Brook family in order as they cope with their upstart neighbors across 61st Street. The gala will salute the grandeur and committed philanthropy of the time, which coincides with the hospital’s early and generous support from some of New York’s most prominent families. An auction of a weeklong stay in a luxury Tuscan villa for eight will be part of the evening’s program, which includes cocktails, dinner, and a paddle raise. We invite you to celebrate with us and step back into the Gilded Age at Guastavino’s with its majestic granite arches and Catalan vaulted tile ceilings. This hidden landmark of New York City architecture, nestled beneath the 59th Street Bridge in Manhattan, is the perfect backdrop for an event that honors The Floating Hospital’s historic legacy as a beacon of hope for generations. Can’t wait to see you there! The Floating Hospital’s Golden Legacies Gala will be held on June 4 from 6:30 - 9:30pm at Guastavinos, 409 East 59th Street in Manhattan. Click https://lnkd.in/eHgH772m for tickets, donations and more information.

At The Floating Hospital, we are passionate about providing health screenings to New York City's most vulnerable families. Preventative care is essential to saving lives. But it also helps to relieve the burden for families who may not have the resources to tackle a health crisis while keeping their family afloat.

As we approach the Women’s Wellness Event on Saturday, March 9th, at our Long Island City Clinic, we are reaching out to request your assistance in ensuring its success. We are still in need of several items from our wish list, and we would greatly appreciate it if you could share it within your circles. Your support in spreading the word will enable us to gather more of the essential items for distribution to our patients on March 9th. The wishlist link is available BELOW. Your continued support is invaluable to us, and we are grateful for your dedication to the Women’s Wellness Event. Should you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our cause!

💜 Supporters and friends of The Floating Hospital know that we provide healthcare and support to families living in New York City homeless shelters. Many don’t know we also serve the city’s domestic violence safe houses. 💜 Clinicians at The Floating Hospital are trained to spot-check for physical or emotional signs that might telegraph abuse and can refer women to the appropriate department for care. Still, treating women and their children who have suffered abuse is not a one-dimensional approach. 💜 Fortunately, women seeking help—whether relief, physical or emotional recovery—can check off many of the boxes in The Floating Hospital's whole-person model of care.

This Valentine's Day, The Floating Hospital is celebrating our historic commitment to care for the little ones. ❤️ Read a clip from our Journal newsletter below. Full newsletter linked in comments. --- Care for the little ones: the fight to protect our children The trend toward protecting children and animals increased rapidly, reaching 250 societies by the end of the century. With these societies came an increase in effective intervention by the state in parent-child relations: city agents could check on abuse complaints, send officers to investigate, and relocate children to be appropriately taken care of in instances of mistreatment. The time saw a significant change in care for dependent children from institutional to family environments. Different organizations worked to take children off the streets, place them into foster homes, and provide them with education to shape their character and prevent crime. One of these organizations was The Floating Hospital, which strove to offer families relief from their troubles through its seafaring excursions that provided them with necessities like food, clothes, medical care, entertainment and education. In the 1860s, Dr. Abraham Jacobi founded pediatrics as its own branch of medicine (previously, child medical care was reserved as a job for mothers, grandparents and neighbors). Keeping with this new standard, medical care was provided by pediatric doctors on board The Floating Hospital. While child labor on the family farm or in the home did not raise significant concerns because it was seen as economically and ethically valuable, industrialization changed things because factory work interfered with education. Although laws were passed, such as requiring children to attend school a certain number of days in the year, they were often evaded, unenforced or applied only to specific industries. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that the movement started to make major waves. Reformers were joined by social workers, political economists, constitutional lawyers, women’s clubs, etc., and they made noise protesting child labor not just as an educational issue but one of exploitation, industrial hazard, and involuntary poverty united under the theory that prolonging and protecting childhood was essential to human progress. This progress paved the way for the protection of and health practices for the children we see presently. The Floating Hospital, as it stands today, is a product of nearly 160 years of change. Now, it is a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization that serves children and adults of all ages. Still, it has preserved its dedication to offering relief, teaching prevention, and providing healthcare that was present at its founding.

Last week, The Floating Hospital's team had the pleasure of attending Concert for College, an annual event to raise money for NYC Kids Rise. The event supports the college and career dreams of New York City public school children. Our staff immensely enjoyed the performance by Bishop Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Choir. Community outreach is at the heart of our work at The Floating Hospital, and we are always proud to support organizations whose missions align with ours.

The Floating Hospital a guiding light in healthcare and support for vulnerable groups, remains at the forefront of preventive healthcare, particularly attuned to the distinct needs of its patients living in the city’s homeless shelters and other unstable housing. 👇

Today I'll be joining Untapped New York members to provide a Live Virtual Talk on The Floating Hospital's rich history of serving New Yorkers most in need along the New York City waterways. 🚢 12PM EST | Wednesday, January 31 | Zoom link below We hope to see you there!  https://lnkd.in/dpwwC2dm 

Candy Cane Lane marked its fifteenth year of spreading holiday cheer to New York City families, a tradition that has become the heart of our winter season. From December 11th to 15th, our community center was transformed into a holiday haven, welcoming families into an atmosphere of warmth, generosity and fun. This past year, our dedicated partners and friends contributed more than 7,000 gifts, which were distributed to the 1,176 adults and children joining us to make merry. The gifts, from toys and books to essential winter clothing, were more than just items; they represented the community’s compassion and support for those facing life’s hardships. Our volunteers were at the heart of Candy Cane Lane, assisting families as personal shoppers and adding a personal touch to the gift-giving experience. “What better way to serve the hospital than being part of their giving back to the community,” said UNFCU volunteer Carlene Alexander. “The joy I felt by knowing my hours spent here will bring them good feelings for the holidays and provide for their needs. We’re not just giving toys and gifts; we’re also giving essentials.” Cynthia Davis and her team, including community liaison Alma Cruz, have been instrumental in making Candy Cane Lane a success year after year. “Candy Cane Lane is a testament to our community’s strength and generosity,” said Davis. “Volunteers are the heart of Candy Cane Lane. It’s about supporting each other and making lasting memories.” Davis, Candy Cane Lane’s longtime organizer and champion, notes that The Floating Hospital’s greater community of supporters makes the event possible each year. Looking back on Candy Cane Lane, we are grateful for our volunteers, donors and corporate sponsors. Their commitment and support have been crucial in brightening this holiday season for our patient families. “It’s more than just a holiday event; it’s about creating connections and spreading love within our community,” said Cruz. “It’s incredibly rewarding.” If you have any feedback or would like to be involved in future events, please don’t hesitate to contact Laura Evans at [email protected]. Your continued support is instrumental in making our community more robust and resilient. Thank you for being a vital part of The Floating Hospital family!

Sean Granahan, President and General Counsel of The Floating Hospital, is driven by our mission every day. We encourage you to follow his journey and connect with him on LinkedIn. Sean is documenting our work to provide healthcare to every New York City family in need, regardless of insurance, status, or ability to pay. Do you have a friend, family member or colleague who may be interested in our work? Please feel free to tag them here or on Sean's post and invite them to our discussion. Thank you for supporting mothers, families, and the mission of The Floating Hospital.