In the early hours of May 5, a fast-moving fire tore through a six-story apartment building on Dyckman Street in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan, claiming the lives of three residents, displacing more than 100 others, and leaving families facing unimaginable loss and uncertainty.
Responding in the Immediate Aftermath
Within hours, Catholic Charities of New York was on the ground.
Case managers and staff arrived alongside emergency responders, local officials, and community organizations to begin supporting residents as they processed the shock of losing their homes, belongings, and, for some families, loved ones.
“When I arrived at the scene, it was immediately clear that this was a very serious and overwhelming situation,” said Nancy Cabrera, a Supervisor in the Case Management Department at Catholic Charities of New York. “There was a strong presence of emergency responders, and families were visibly distressed. Many people had fled with nothing. Some were standing outside for hours in pajamas, trying to understand what would happen next.”
Nancy recalled meeting one woman who had escaped the building carrying almost nothing.
“She was using a piece of napkin to tie her hair because she had no hair tie,” Nancy said. “I found one in my purse and gave it to her. It sounds like such a small thing, but moments like that remind you how suddenly people can lose everything.”
Parishes and Community Partners Step Forward
The fire claimed the lives of three residents and left several others hospitalized, including children. Families were temporarily placed in hotels through the American Red Cross before facing transitions into longer-term temporary housing.
Catholic Charities of New York staff immediately began coordinating with the American Red Cross, the Office of Emergency Management, NYC Housing Preservation and Development, elected officials, and local organizations to assess needs and advocate for residents.
“We were there the next morning, speaking directly with residents and city agencies to understand where families were staying and what support they needed,” said Michele Rodriguez, Division Director of Neighborhood Centers at Catholic Charities of New York. “Our goal is not simply to respond in the moment, but to accompany families for the long run and help ensure they have safe, stable housing again.”
That accompaniment includes helping residents replace important documents, connecting families with mental health services, navigating housing systems, and providing ongoing case management support.
“People need someone to walk with them through a crisis like this,” Nancy said. “When someone hears you are a social worker or case manager, they see hope. They know there is someone who will listen to them, guide them, and remind them they are not alone.”
For many residents, the emotional and logistical challenges continue long after the fire itself.
One resident Nancy spoke with was relieved to recover her eyeglasses and dentures after being allowed back into her apartment, while another family remains hospitalized after suffering severe injuries. Other residents lost access to medications, phones, identification documents, or even basic necessities.
The fire also highlighted the importance of trusted community spaces and partnerships during emergencies.
“In moments of crisis, parishes become places of consolation and accompaniment,” said Gonzalo Alvarado Zavala, Parish Engagement Coordinator at Catholic Charities of New York. “From the first hours, parishes like Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church opened their doors, mobilized volunteers, and made sure families knew they were not alone.”
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church quickly became a gathering point for residents, donations, and coordination efforts.
“Parish partnerships are essential,” Gonzalo said. “Parishes know their communities and are trusted safe places. That trust allows Catholic Charities to respond quickly, compassionately, and with dignity.”
“In both the Belmont and Inwood fires, parishes helped shepherd people not only during the emergency itself, but through the long work of healing afterward,” Gonzalo said.
Accompanying Families Beyond the Crisis
Michele noted that the fires have also exposed larger systemic issues impacting vulnerable New Yorkers.
“These fires reveal how important safe housing and proper repairs are,” Michele said. “We are also seeing the need for more fire safety education and prevention.”
According to city officials, the Inwood building had numerous housing violations prior to the fire, including issues connected to fire safety. The fires have underscored the importance of preventative safety measures, community education, and ensuring families have access to safe and stable housing.
For Catholic Charities staff and parish partners, however, the focus remains on the people behind the headlines — families now navigating grief, displacement, and uncertainty.
“What has stayed with me most is how many people quietly showed up simply because someone needed help,” Gonzalo said. “Volunteers, clergy, neighbors, parishioners — people responding with compassion and love for their community.”
As families continue transitioning from emergency hotel placements into temporary housing and await updates on when or whether they may return home, Catholic Charities of New York remains committed to walking alongside them.
Walking Alongside Families Through Recovery
The response in Inwood comes as Catholic Charities of New York continues accompanying families affected by the devastating five-alarm fire in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx earlier this spring. More than 80 residents were displaced after that fire, many losing all of their belongings and facing an uncertain road ahead.
At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Catholic Charities of New York teams and parish partners immediately mobilized to provide food, clothing, legal assistance, trauma-informed care, and ongoing case management support. Today, the focus has shifted toward helping families secure permanent housing, avoid entering the shelter system, and begin rebuilding their lives.
From the Bronx to Inwood, Catholic Charities of New York remains committed to accompanying families long after the immediate crisis has passed.
“We don’t want to just be there when the fire happens and then move on,” Michele said. “We want families to know they are an important part of this community, and that they deserve a safe and permanent place to call home.”
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