What is Broadway Community?
Broadway Community, Inc. (BCI) is a Morningside Heights-based human services agency that serves individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty through a broad range of programs including a seven-night-a-week overnight shelter, a four-star soup kitchen, on-site medical services, showers, and more. Working tirelessly to break down the barriers of poverty, inequity, and privilege – until all are fed, in body and spirit – Broadway Community provides countless opportunities to bring neighbors together across socioeconomic and cultural boundaries.
Who started Broadway Community?
The seeds that would become Broadway Community were planted in 1982 with the creation of the Community Lunch Program – a combined effort of volunteers from Broadway Presbyterian Church, Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University, and other neighboring organizations. The Community Lunch Program prepared and provided meals to the hungry three times a week, and in 1992, formally incorporated as Broadway Community, Inc. so that it might expand its reach.
What services does Broadway Community offer?
We serve nourishing food, a welcoming environment, shelter, clothing, showers, and medical care.
Why do you call the people you serve Guests?
We call the people we serve Guests for two reasons. The first is that when someone is your guest, you should treat them like royalty. Everything we do here at Broadway Community is aimed at treating everyone who walks through these doors with the highest level of dignity and respect. The second reason we refer to the people we serve as Guests is that the word "Guest" implies that someone is with you temporarily. We strongly believe that the conditions many of our Guests find themselves in today are temporary, and that with the right resources, can -- and will -- improve. In-fact, many of our Guests have gone on to join the Broadway Community team as staff members and volunteers. As you scroll through our website, notice how the word Guest is capitalized, which symbolizes the respect that we have for each person who walks through these doors.
How do people in need find out about Broadway Community's Services?
People in need find out about our services primarily through agency referrals and word of mouth amongst Guests. Over the last 40 years, thousands of people have been drawn to us because they know that here, they will be treated with the utmost compassion, dignity, and respect.
Where does Broadway Community get food from?
We get food from a combination of donations and purchases. We receive donations from our partners at United Way , the New York City Food Bank, City Harvest, and many generous local businesses and individuals.
Someone I know or saw needs help. Can I refer them to Broadway Community?
- If the person is in need of food, you may refer them to our Community Lunch Program, which takes place each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm.
- If the person is in need of medical services, you may refer them to our clinic with the Institute of Family Health, which takes place on Mondays from 1:00pm – 4:00pm, and Wednesdays from 10:00am – 4:00pm.
- If the person is in need of shelter, please call 3-1-1 to be connected with a member of the Department of Homeless Services Outreach Team. (Our shelter guests join our shelter by referral through the Outreach Team process only. We are not able to intake guests into our Shelter directly. Please call 3-1-1 when you or one of your neighbors is seeking shelter).
*Note: Always check our service calendar to see what services we are offering on any given day.