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Since August, YAI has been working with New York City’s Test and Trace Corp, alongside 40 other community-based organizations, providing COVID-related resources. YAI’s street-level outreach teams have distributed over 11,000 pieces of literature, 47,000 face coverings, and made hundreds of referrals to local testing sites and the City’s hotel isolation program. The partnership, which was originally set to end in November, has been extended through June.
“We’re there to provide resources,” explained Tyler Larsen, Training Coordinator for YAI Knowledge. “It’s important to give people what they need to be safe. And making sure people have access to be safe, that’s what YAI does. We’re in a helping profession. We’ve taken that and we’re leveraging it to do what’s needed at this time.”
As the COVID vaccine becomes more prevalent, the scope of the Test and Trace program may change, but the process will remain the same. The program focuses on the equitable distribution of information and materials across all communities throughout the city.
“Every community-based organization is stepping outside of their comfort zone to help other people and make sure no New Yorker is forgotten,” Larsen said. “That’s what’s so beautiful about it. We all come together and make sure everyone’s taken care of.”