Our first volunteer efforts in New York began in 1991 while taking to the streets to help raise money for disaster relief due to floods in Central China. This was the beginning of our volunteer work putting us on the regional and international map.

As we continued to grow, we opened offices in Long Island, NY, and in Boston in 1995. In 1999 the New York center was upgraded to a branch, while our Long Island location also was upgraded. It was in 2003 that New York became a Regional Office while service centers and branches were established in Boston and Connecticut, all covering the Tri-State area as well as New England.

Due to the various disasters from 9/11 to Hurricane Sandy, the work we do has become even more important. Our compassion is shown and given through our very dedicated volunteers who now number 2,000 in addition to our 50,000 supporters, without whom we could not provide the relief that we do to those needing it most. And when we provide our services, we do so with gratitude, respect and love according to the teaching of Dharma Master Cheng Yen.

Through care and love we have been providing help to those in need while collaborating with many other organizations including Red Cross, Department of Education and Food Banks.

Coats for Cold Weather

What began as some of our volunteers providing sleeping bags and hot food to homeless people without shelter or the means to buy warm coats turned into an act of compassion as we were able to begin bringing warmth during the cold biting months of winter with our clothing distributions. Because the winter months in the Northeast can be brutal, since 1992 our New York chapter has been receiving donated winter clothes for those underprivileged, low-income people who go without. With the use of donated community spaces, we are annually able to distribute winter clothing in all five New York boroughs, from tops and pants to much-needed warm coats.

Healing through Humanitarian Hearts

Because many in the New York area are low-income and uninsured they do not have the means to receive much if any medical care. Our Tzu Chi Medical Branch has three to four free community medical outreach clinics a year. They are typically held in the Greater New York area and on Long Island. Volunteers including doctors and nurses are on hand to provide care to those people who otherwise would not be able to see a doctor. Our volunteer medical team offerings include internal medicine, dentistry, acupuncture and physical therapy.

Our volunteer doctors are caring and patient and do not rush the many people who may have put off their health for some time and are in great need of services. The New York Tzu Chi Medical Association this year launched a private fundraising campaign that focuses on the eyesight of low-income people, especially for seniors and students. Equipment purchased enables patients to receive an eye exam and to receive a one-time pair of eyeglasses.