As a Crisis Brews, Your Support Helps Us Meet It
Domestic violence rates in New York City remain “stubbornly high” after the pandemic, particularly compared to the dramatic drops in other violent crime. One in five families with children in shelters report domestic violence as the main cause of their homelessness. Add in a shortage of affordable housing, and it's clear why family homelessness is at historic highs— and why the city now faces a humanitarian crisis.
The trends are alarming and tragic, but The Floating Hospital has been there for families in distress for 160 years. Our "more than healthcare" model ensures families in safe houses and shelters are fed and clothed warmly while they receive vital medical care and trauma treatment, and learn proper hygiene, essential life skills, wellness strategies, and so much more.
Since our founding in the mid-19th century, we have taken a revolutionary approach to relief and healthcare delivery—meeting patients where they are to bring them into care, whether aboard the ships we sailed through 2001 or at our now land-based clinics, including our cheerful, modern main site in Long Island City. We address immediate needs in times of crisis, administer high-quality primary care, and then help families build strong foundations to begin their lives again.
Reflections on a ‘remarkable year’
Our Annual Report for last year offers a snapshot of where we stood in 2025 and how our programs earned recognition and the vital support needed to provide wraparound care—including case management, health education, outreach, and transportation to our clinic—for the families who rely on us. As Floating Hospital Board of Trustees Chair Dominick DeLorenzo wrote in the report's executive summary, it was "a remarkable year, one where we received global acknowledgment and support of the life-changing work we accomplish daily."
It was also a remarkable year to be a supporter, and we're deeply grateful to everyone, whether a longtime friend or new contributor, who makes our model of care possible. At the close of 2025, Action for Women's Health selected The Floating Hospital as one of only 83 organizations, from more than 4,000 applicants worldwide, to receive a grant through its $250 million open call, funded by Pivotal, the coalition of impact organizations founded by Melinda French Gates. We were also named a 2025 Bank of America Neighborhood Builder, and a site visit from the Health Resources and Services Administration confirmed national approval of the quality care our patients receive in our clinics.
Looking back and ahead
Last year was also marked by the growth of our services. Our new optometry clinic became fully operational, removing another barrier to essential care for the more than 3,300 families and 7,191 children we served. Our volunteer program expanded into new roles, and we sharpened our focus on food insecurity. These initiatives reflect the breadth of a mission that has always extended well beyond the exam room.
None of this would be possible without the donors, leadership, staff, and volunteers who stand behind our work year after year and share in this recognition. As we mark our 160th anniversary, we look forward to many more years of good news to come.
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