RVC residents help fight homelessness

Many people would be surprised to know that Long Island is no different than the rest of the country when it comes to homelessness. But two Rockville Centre residents have joined the fight to ensure that all families receive shelter and get back on their feet financially.

Edward F. McDougal and Steve Ryerson are a part of New Ground, a not-for-profit agency that is committed to educating and empowering families as well as individuals who are caught in the vicious cycle of homelessness.

Founded in 1991, New Ground recognizes that the key to solving homelessness is not only to help the families who are homeless, but also work at preventing it in the future. The organization identifies and responds to at-risk families through intensive case management programs that provide educational, technical, and emotional support.

Since 1991, the Long-Term Housing Program (LTHP) has been assisting homeless families to achieve educational, employment and other goals to become self-sufficient and move into independent housing when they complete the program. Through this program, New Ground works intensely with up to 25 families at a time.

Each family is placed in long-term, low-income housing owned by the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN), a private social service agency on Long Island. For the next 3 to 5 years, New Ground provides educational, vocational and counseling services, as well as basic needs and support.

McDougal, a retired financial service lender, is the president of New Ground’s board of directors. He held the same position with INN.

“I was so impressed with the results that New Ground was achieving with their families,” he said. “They had some affordable houses and wanted to bring support services to the families. We didn’t have those capabilities, so we hired New Ground to provide those.”

Steve Ryerson is a former six-year New Ground president who still sits on the advisory board. He was introduced to the program through his wife, Leslie, who was involved through her work with the Riverside Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association in 1992.

“It’s a great way to help people get economically empowered and improve their lifestyle,” he said. “It’s something that resonates well with us.”

New Ground has programs for both families and veterans, including academic scholarship programs, education assistance, tutoring, financial literacy and adult workshops.

“We have a very heavy emphasis on education,” McDougal said. “Education is the key to getting a job. We also deal with issues that are a part of their backgrounds.”

Families that have been recognized as the most in-need go through an extensive check to see how their situations were created.

“We basically have intensive interviews with the families to determine which factors contributed to them being homeless,” said McDougal. “We have a professional staff that provides a full range of support services to the families and their children.”

The Ryersons have helped organize organized gatherings that help build memories for children and their families.

“That could be anything from barbeques at Eisenhower Park, fishing trips, [and] tickets to the circus,” Ryerson said.

New Ground recently held its 16th annual Groundbreakers’ Celebration at the Garden City Hotel. In recognition of 25 years, the organization honored lifetime members of New Ground’s Giving Circle for their ongoing dedication and commitment to support the work they do with those in need. 

“In the 25 years we’ve been in existence, 82 percent of more of the families have left more economically self-sufficient and 95-97 percent have moved through school successfully and have gone to college,” said McDougal.

Proceeds from the event supported the many critical services and educational programs designed to help New Ground’s homeless families and veterans become self-supporting and independent.