Due to the current COVID-19 public health concern:
We continue to provide essential services to the community but have officially closed our office to the public as of March 20, 2020. In order to provide services to the community while keeping our staff healthy and safe we have staggered work-from-home and on-site shifts in order to maximize social distancing.
To update you on how we are managing the crisis;
Eviction Prevention Funds Available for City of Yonkers
Due to overwhelming demand and limited funds:
As of July 31, 2021, pre-screening eviction forms will no longer be accepted.
Fondos de prevención de desalojo disponibles para los inquilinos de la Ciudad de Yonkers:
Debido a la abrumadora demanda y los fondos limitados:
A partir del 31 de julio de 2021, ya no se aceptarán los formularios de desalojo de preselección.
Mental Health
The CLUSTER Mental Health department staff are considered essential workers, and we will continue our mandate of caring for our clients uninterrupted. If you would like to assist us in providing PPE to our staff so they may safely continue this essential service, please consider making a donation.
Donate Now
Screening + Assessment
We have established screening and assessment protocols designed to identify individuals experiencing symptoms which require medical attention. We have also instituted a moratorium on visitation to our residential programs in order to ensure the health and safety of our residents and staff.
Mediation
CLUSTER recognizes that despite the current health crisis we face as a community, some may feel a pressing need to discuss and resolve certain matters. To that end, we have established the ability to mediate via Zoom (an online meeting platform) and will offer this option to parties experiencing conflict.
Virtual mediation is available for the following types of cases:
- Custody/Visitation
- Divorce
- Special Education
- Surrogate Court
- ACCESS VR
- Neighbor to Neighbor Issues
We will continue to conduct intake assessments over the phone and are working with the courts to ensure we will be available to mediate any of cases that may be in their inventory.
If you feel you may benefit from mediation, please contact us.
Youth and Family Programs
CLUSTER’s Youth and Family programs continue to be closed until further notice with the exception of our Teen program, which is currently ongoing.
Please know we are closely following the advice of healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities in addressing this crisis. We maintain an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the New York State and Westchester County Departments of Health, the Office of Mental Health and our peers and will continue to do our very best to ensure the health and safety of CLUSTER’s clients and staff in the weeks and months to come.
UPDATE: Summer Day Camp Suspended
We have made the difficult but necessary decision to suspend CLUSTER Summer Day Camp this year. This decision was not easily reached, but we believe it is the best and safest one for staff, students and families given the current health crisis we are striving to overcome. We look forward to resuming CLUSTER After-school activities in the fall if and when it is safe to and Summer Day Camp activities in 2021.
Helplines
If you need help beyond CLUSTER’s services, there are new helplines for people who are experiencing anxiety, stress, and depression during the coronavirus emergency:
- New York State Office of Mental Health COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline
1-844-863-9314
Available 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, 7 days a week - Westchester County has a support line and a pro bono therapist during the hours 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
914-995-1900
Yonkers Testing Site
Yonkers has a new testing site by appointment. Residents need to call the New York State COVID-19 hotline first to make a testing appointment.
1-888-364-3065
The Yonkers site, operated by New York State’s Department of Health, is located at St. John’s Riverside Hospital Parkcare Pavilion at 2 Park Avenue. The site will facilitate testing by appointment only for residents who live in the 10701 zip code where the majority of Yonkers’ COVID-19 cases live. Hudson River Healthcare will be administering the tests.
COVID-19 Vaccination Myths and Facts
- Myth #1: COVID-19 Vaccine can make you sick with COVID-19
NO. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines currently in development in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-10 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. - Myth #2: The COVID-19 vaccination will protect me from getting sick with COVID-19?
YES. COVID-19 vaccination works by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19, and this protects you from getting sick with COVID-19. - Myth #3: Natural immunity is healthier and more effective than vaccine immunity.
NO. Vaccines allow you to build immunity without the damaging effects that vaccine-preventable diseases can have. These diseases can cause serious health problems can even be life-threatening. Vaccination is the best way to prevent them.