President's Message

Dear Friends, Donors and Supporters,

Thank you for allowing me the chance to serve. The leadership and staff of Harlem Dowling continue to do an unbelievable job – at all hours of the day and night, no matter when the call comes - to meet the needs of our children and families. I am humbled by their commitment and I only hope to be able to live up to their example.

Thank you to Jaye Smith, my immediate predecessor as Board Chair. Over the years, Jaye has worked tirelessly to continue the agency’s mission of aiding children and families in crisis. Because of her leadership, the agency, and the board, are in better shape than she found it. I hope to be able to say the same.

As you know, times are still hard for many people in the nation as a whole and New York City specifically. Budgets and services continue to be cut for those who need those services most. So even though the budget gets cut, the services get slashed, the program is discontinued, does not mean the need has been cut, slashed or discontinued.

We need your help more than ever. For 175 years, with support from friends like you, Harlem Dowling has filled the gaps left by the shrinking pool of resources.  When our families were struggling to put food on their tables, Harlem Dowling began its Food Pantry which now serves nearly 5000 individuals annually. In the 1980s, when the crack epidemic was at its peak, Harlem Dowling found homes for crack-addicted babies. Those babies have been reunified with their families or found loving homes through adoption. Harlem Dowling stepped in when HIV/AIDS first appeared on the scene, providing supportive services to women living with HIV/AIDS.  Harlem Dowling was the first to begin an After-School Program without any government support.  These are just a few examples of Harlem Dowling’s commitment, creativity and success in keeping our families together, healthy and safe.

So, if you gave recently, thank you. If it has been awhile, I ask that you give now. If you have never given – but have been meaning too – please do so now.  Every dollar counts.

Please be “part of the solution” for the next 175 years.

Tim Mulvaney
Board President