The Long Island Community Foundation

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated much of Long Island. Almost 1 million people were left without electricity and 2,000 homes were deemed uninhabitable.

It was anticipated that Long Island faced long-term recovery issues for years to come. The Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) started raising funds through its Hurricane Sandy Relief and Restoration Fund to support nonprofits in their work to address the many needs arising from the storm’s aftermath in the communities they serve.

LICF identified a number of health concerns that specifically pertained to the region, including the city of Long Beach (the hardest-hit community on Long Island), which sustained more than $200 million in damage. Long-term health issues were expected, including an increase in respiratory ailments; risks to worker safety; environmental fall-out from sewage and fuel leakages; and psychological issues from anxiety and/or stress. NYHealth awarded a grant to LICF to support nonprofits working to meet the health needs of Long Island residents during the Sandy recovery process.

LICF identified a number of health concerns that specifically pertain to its region, including the city of Long Beach (the hardest-hit community on Long Island), which sustained more than $200 million in damage. The long-term health impacts expected to emerge included: an increase in respiratory ailments due to exposure to mold, lead, and asbestos; potential risks to worker safety; environmental fall-out from sewage and fuel leakages; psychological issues stemming from anxiety and/or stress; and logistical shortfalls at hospitals. LICF identified and worked with local nonprofits to address these evolving health problems.