The NYC Preparedness & Recovery Institute (PRI) is launching the Queens Resilience Network, a new borough-based initiative designed to strengthen social cohesion and community resilience across Queens. The Queens Resilience Network is the first in a planned series of five resilience networks, one in each New York City borough, created through an agreement with the City to support long-term preparedness for public health emergencies and climate-related disasters.
Queens faces some of the city’s highest climate and public health risks, compounded by deep social and economic inequities. During COVID-19, Queens accounted for more than half of the city’s cases, underscoring the need for stronger, borough-wide coordination and trusted local leadership. The Queens Resilience Network aims to fill this gap by building a multi-sector, hyper-local coalition that can better prepare communities for future crises.
The Network’s first major activity is the formation of a Steering Committee made up of approximately 30 Queens based leaders from a diverse range of organizations, including nonprofits, community groups, businesses, and mutual aid efforts. The committee will prioritize hyper-local representation, with a strong focus on communities most impacted by health and environmental disparities.
To support the development of the Steering Committee, PRI is working with the Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation (RDRC), which brings deep local expertise and trusted relationships across Queens. This initial partnership focuses on outreach, convening, and facilitation as the Network establishes its foundation.
Steering Committee members will participate in a series of three half-day workshops in early 2026. Through this process, members will help shape the direction of the Queens Resilience Network and guide decisions about future resilience projects. In its first year, the Network anticipates supporting borough-wide initiatives that promote social cohesion and preparedness, with approximately $70,000 available to fund initial projects and student fellowships .
Queens-based organizations are invited to be part of this effort. We invite all to nominate organizations to join the Steering Committee, organizations may also self-nominate. By participating, members will have a direct voice in shaping how resilience work is designed, prioritized, and implemented across Queens. Submit nominations by January 31, 2026 via this form.
The Queens Resilience Network represents a critical step toward community-driven preparedness, ensuring that solutions are shaped by the people and organizations closest to the challenges on the ground.