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BCS opened our first program, a home for homeless “newsboys.”
Our History in Brooklyn
In 2016, BCS celebrated 150 years of service and impact in Brooklyn. Since its establishment in 1866 in response to the plight of disabled Civil War veterans and homeless children, BCS has remained committed to our community and has been on the front line of every major crisis that Brooklyn has faced, from the influenza epidemic to the Great Depression to the September 11th tragedy to the devastation of Superstorm Sandy. For 150 years, our purpose has been to serve our community.
Our goal is to build partnerships with our neighbors to invest in strengthening the borough we all love. We will continue to develop solutions that empower at-risk children, youth, families, and adults with mental illness or developmental disabilities to overcome obstacles, as we strive toward greater opportunity throughout all of Brooklyn.
BCS Milestones
For over 150 years, Brooklyn Community Services has remained committed to our mission. We empower children, youth, adults and families to overcome the obstacles they face. Together we partner with our community to ensure opportunities for all to access an excellent education, jobs, safe and affordable housing, quality health care and wellness programs.
1866
1897 - 1926
BCS mobilized to fight tuberculosis, influenza and to help Brooklynites stricken with polio.
1912
BCS was selected to participate in the annual New York Times Neediest Cases Fund, benefiting lowincome New Yorkers
1927 - 1956
During the Great Depression BCS nearly doubled the families served and tripled amount of yearly relief. We also began our pioneering family counseling and mental health services.
1987
BCS established the Gary Klinsky Afterschool program.
2001
BCS responded to September 11th by providing relief and recovery services.
2012
BCS responded to Superstorm Sandy by providing immediate and long-term recovery services in hard-hit Coney Island.
2014
BCS launched Youth Stand Academy for middleschoolers
2016
BCS opened four new Community Centers in low-income neighborhoods
2018
BCS broke ground on a new affordable housing project in Flatbush, Brooklyn. The project is in partnership with Mutual Housing Association of New York and The Baptist Church of Redeemer and intends to house families, seniors, and women transitioning out of homelessness.
2019
BCS entered a partnership with Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams, allowing us to give thousands of homeless Brooklynites access to New York’s first ever Mobile Shower Bus. The project receives additional funding through Unilever’s Right to Shower products.
Today, as we chart our course for the next decade and beyond, we’re resolved to build an even broader commitment to this cause and to continue to draw attention to the issues of poverty in Brooklyn.
BCS works in neighborhoods impacted by systemic poverty. We strengthen communities by fostering the educational success of children, the leadership development of youth, the employment and housing stability of adults, the advancement of individuals living with disabilities, and the empowerment of seniors and families.
Brooklyn Community Services
151 Lawrence Street, Floor 4
Brooklyn, NY 11201
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