Local Advocacy Group Fields Responses to “Invisible Child”

Most are now familiar with journalist Andrea Elliott’s story, which depicts the trials of 11-year-old Dasani, daughter of unemployed parents who are in and out of drug rehab programs. The homeless shelter where she lives is overrun with mice and sexual misconduct, and she and her seven siblings share sleepless nights on ripped and rotting mattresses. According to Elliott’s story, she is one of 280 children at Auburn and one of 22,000 homeless children in New York City.

In a follow-up to the investigative piece, The New York Times’ Public Editor, Margaret Sullivan, wrote that many have reached out wanting to help. Some want to keep their donations local and contribute to families in Fort Greene, a neighborhood Elliott called “one of the most unequal pockets of New York City.” In her follow-up, Sullivan directed them to Fort Greene SNAP.

Since then, Fort Greene SNAP has received dozens of non-monetary donations. Executive Director Dr. Georgianna Glose counted the donations over a phone interview.

“We’ve gotten about 50 responses,” she said, “and they keep coming.”

Glose said most people have donated items such as clothing and diapers. The organization will collect non-monetary donations until Dec. 18, and distribute them to residents of Auburn on Dec. 19. After Dec. 19, Fort Greene SNAP will only accept monetary donations.

Glose said she is emphasizing donations of money because it allows her organization to fund campaigns and work to enact long-term change in the city’s homeless shelters. She said part of the work would include supporting volunteers who communicate with residents of Fort Greene’s low-income housing, to hear and record their complaints. This information would then be used to direct Fort Greene SNAP’s recommendations to the city for policy change.

The organization will also be meeting with the Legal Aid Society, which is also accepting donations in response to Dasani’s story, to further iron out how the two can work together to make changes for the city’s population living in low-income housing.

Among donations of Pampers and coats, Fort Greene SNAP has also been fielding locals’ fervent reactions to Dasani’s story.

“The sentiments are that people are horrified by what’s going on,” Glose said. “Many people living in the neighborhood feel terrible that they live in a place where this is going on and they want to see a change.”

All donations should be dropped off at Fort Greene SNAP, which is located at 324 Myrtle Avenue.