Red Cross Chief Response Officer Scott Graham was part of a panel of city agency representatives who addressed residents affected by the crane collapse on March 17 at St. Peter’s Church at 619 Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. (Photo: Anita Salzberg)

At a Town Hall Meeting the evening of March 17 held at St. Peter's Church, the NYC Reception Center for those affected by this weekend"s crane collapse, representatives of the American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY), the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit (CAU), the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), FDNY, NYPD, Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), addressed the concerns and questions of an audience of approximately 200 residents displaced by the March 15 crane collapse. Many totted suitcases and shopping bags containing possessions retrieved from their apartments.

Each agency representative updated the audience on the progress of the restoration of services and the lifting of building vacate orders. Mr. Graham explained the Red Cross services available to affected residents, including temporary sheltering/housing, food assistance, mental health and chaplaincy support services for stress reactions to the collapse, help with emergency health needs, and referrals to other community resources.

He fielded questions, and urged residents to apply for Red Cross assistance. "The Red Cross encourages people to stop by the Reception Center to find out what services they’re eligible for,” he said, “We’re here to meet their emergency needs until they’re able to return to their homes.”