Five years ago, mutual aid networks flourished across New York City. Neighbors checked on each other, strangers delivered groceries, and community leaders took action. These grassroots efforts formed the backbone of the city’s pandemic response, often filling gaps left by official systems.
On April 23, 2025, more than 150 New Yorkers gathered at The Salvation Army’s Mumford Hall in Manhattan to reconnect and reflect. The NYC COVID-19 Community Response 5-Year Reunion, hosted by the NYC Preparedness & Recovery Institute (PRI), NYC Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NYCVOAD), and several local organizations, was both a homecoming and a moment to consider how community-led care can be sustained into the future.
The evening brought together community leaders, mutual aid organizers, nonprofit workers, and neighbors who had been at the heart of New York’s grassroots pandemic response. Many attendees had not seen one another in years, and the reunion created a welcoming space to share stories, remember those lost, and reflect on the journey of the past five years.
Guests were welcomed with a catered reception and a name tag activity designed to spark conversation. Laughter, tears, embraces, and complicated discussions filled the space as people gathered around food and reconnected with old friends and collaborators.
The program began with a grief acknowledgment led by Emma Acker of All’s Well Initiative, honoring the lives lost during the pandemic and the grief still carried by many. This was followed by a panel discussion titled “Community Response: Past, Present and Future,” moderated by Alana Tornello of the Human Services Council. The panel featured Racine Droz, Feeding America; Adama Bah, Afrikana; Adrianna Silver, New York Cares; and Peter Gudaitis, New York Disaster Interfaith Services.
Panelists reflected on what made their COVID-19 efforts successful, the challenges they faced, and how they navigated personal and community trauma. They discussed the importance of building sustainable systems of care, the role of government and institutional partnerships, and how to keep community-based responses at the forefront of public health preparedness.
The event also featured RapidTalks, where attendees gave two-minute speeches that highlighted lessons learned, ongoing initiatives, and future visions for mutual aid, food justice, housing, and health equity. The talks added depth and diversity to the evening, sparking moments of recognition, reflection, and inspiration.
While the event celebrated resilience and connection, it also surfaced a collective sense of loss—of momentum, relationships, and the mutual aid structures that had once flourished. Several attendees expressed surprise that such a reunion came together at all, underscoring the need to more intentionally sustain these networks and efforts.
The NYC COVID-19 Community Response 5-Year Reunion was made possible through the collaboration of partners, including NYCVOAD, East Harlem COAD, Shower Power, LES Ready!, Human Services Council, NYDIS, The Salvation Army, and the NYC Preparedness & Recovery Institute.
A selection of photos from the event are included below, capturing the spirit of an evening that honored the past and called for a more connected and prepared future. To stay informed about future PRI events and initiatives, sign up for our mailing list and follow us on social media @thenycpri on X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
