Last Monday evening, the day after the fatal fire in the Bronx, Monsignor Kevin Sullivan and Father Eric Cruz participated in a prayer vigil with the families, neighbors, community leaders, and elected officials in front of the apartment building where fire tragically took 17 lives.

The next day Catholic Charities of New York delivered emergency cash cards to our local affiliated agency, Part of the Solution (POTS), and St. Simon Stock – St. Joseph Parish to distribute the families impacted by the fire for immediate emergency needs. Both POTS and the parish have identified and been in contact with over 30 families from the building. Our Bronx Director of Immigration Services has been in contact with the Gambian Youth Organization to offer Catholic Charities’ immigration services to the immigrant families impacted.

For those deceased members of the community, the Trappist Monks of New Melleray Abbey have offered to partner with Catholic Charities to donate coffins should families require this service.  Recognizing the need of families wishing to accompany the remains of the deceased to burial in Africa, Catholic Charities is ready to help provide assistance. Catholic Charities will continue to be present as needs continue and emerge going forward.

If you would like to help the victims of the Bronx Fire, please consider donating to the Catholic Charities Emergency Fund.