Astoria organizers assist neighbors in need during COVID crisis

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Public domain photo via PX Fuel.

Public domain photo via PX Fuel.

By Rachel Vick

A team of Astoria organizers is pitching in to help their sequestered neighbors as COVID-19 threatens older adults and isolates many New Yorkers with limited social support systems.   

Ross Mudrick and his wife founded the Astoria Mutual Aid Network to run errands, purchase food and deliver items to their neighbors in need. They have so far recruited nearly 60 volunteers to help out, Mudrick said.

Mudrick said he created the initiative as a way to give his daughter an alternative to the upcoming vacation the family had to cancel. 

“We were planning spring break with our daughter and it was, ‘How are we going to break this to her?” he said. “To think, how are we gonna do something else so it’s not that she's losing a vacation but that we’re needed here.”

On Saturday, Mudrick began posting flyers offering assistance to neighbors and seeking volunteers. “New Yorkers look out for each other!” the flyers read. Mudrick’s phone number is handwritten at the bottom of the printed pages. 

Dozens of people have reached out to say they would like to connect with neighbors who may lack strong social support networks to help them through their COVID-19 isolation, Mudrick said.

“I’m really worried about the people who aren’t online,” Mudrick said. “You go to one of the Irish bars on Broadway and it’s the guy who shows up at 2 p.m. and stays til close — these are the people I'm really scared for because a little love and attention might go a long way, but they're not inclined to ask for it.”

The group is currently circulating flyers to raise awareness and compiling lists of people in need from local houses of worship and senior centers. Mudrick said the team of volunteers can also provide support

“If you are young and you are healthy, check in on the people around you safely — there's’ some great stuff on Netflix right now, but take care of your people,” Mudrick said. “If people can't find something in their community they should be the one who starts it. There's no magic to it. Just get people together.”

If you are interested in getting involved, contact at 646-397-8383 or astoriamutualaid@gmail.com.