This website is best viewed with
Washington Heights & Inwood Online
Resource Directory
Community Organizations (40) 
Alianza Dominicana
2410 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-740-1960.
Fax: 212-740-1967.
Email: mguerrero@alianzadom.org.
Develops model neighborhood-based initiatives using comprehensive and integrated services, which attend to the multiple needs of children, youth and families in the community. Services include after-school programs; youth employment training services; drop-out prevention services; summer day camps; youth-led community service projects; comprehensive HIV/AIDS services; entitlement assistance and advocacy; facilitated enrollment in health plans; drug prevention and treatment programs; mental health counseling and supportive programming; psychotherapy for children and adolescents; day care and home care services; domestic violence prevention services; home visitation services; foster care and adoption services.
Alianza Dominicana HOPE Program
2340 Amesterdam Ave (corner of 176th Street), New York, NY 10032..
Tel: 212-927-6810.
Fax: 212-795-9645.
Provides individual counseling, prevention case management and referral services for the LGBTQ community. They also host community workshops and forums around lesbian and gay issues, including topics such as safer sex, sexual orientation, self-esteem, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse. The HOPE program also participates in and conducts annual recreational activities for the Latino LGBTQ community. UPTOWN PRIDE, another HOPE program, is a six-week peer education training group for LGBTQ youth ages 14-21 that focuses on HIV prevention and LGBTQ support.
American Legion Inwood Post 581
Inwood Station, Box 169, 90 Vermilyea Avenue, New York, NY 10034-9998.
Tel: 212-567-1501.
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veterans organization. A community service organization which now numbers nearly three million members -- men and women -- in nearly 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. These Posts are organized into 55 Departments -- one each for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.
Post 581 sponsors a parade up Broadway on Memorial Day.
Armory
216 Fort Washington Avenue (at 168th Street), New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-923-1803.
Fax: 212-923-1645.
The Armory is the home to the fastest track in the northeast and the first National Track & Field Hall of Fame. It hosts the USATF championships, as well as one of the most prestigious collegiate invitationals. But the Armory is more than a track and a museum. It is a full-fledged community center where thousands of high school students and adults from throughout New York City and the surrounding area come to exercise, learn and aspire to improve their lives. The Armory sponsors programs in technology learning through its tech center, as well as programs for literacy, jobs training, teens at risk, immigrant services, teacher training, mentoring and senior citizens health.
Broadway Housing Communities, Inc.
10 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-568-2030 x208.
Fax: 212-568-2038.
Email: aorodriguez@broadwayhousing.org.
Non-profit organization that sponsors and develops innovative, permanent, affordable housing for individuals and families in the greatest need. It also sponsors a Head Start program, an after-school program, and the Rio II Art Gallery.
Chamber of Commerce of Washington Heights and Inwood
751 West 183rd Street, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-928-6595.
Fax: 212-928-4177.
Works to promote economic development and community growth in Northern Manhattan. They advocate for an attractive environment, participate in community collaborations, conduct events and forums where noteworthy speakers discuss relevant topics, and facilitate communication between the business community, government agencies and elected officials. Presently they are developing a tourist guide for Washington Heights and Inwood, since most of the available guides barely mention our communities or get it wrong.
Citizens for NYC
Mobilizes New Yorkers to improve their neighborhoods in the areas of urban environment and beautification, safety, poverty, neighborhood diversity, youth-led community service, and youth entrepreneurship. They help New Yorkers build strong neighborhood volunteer groups that solve local problems, providing small grants, workshops, leadership training, self-help information and assistance.
Community Association of Progressive Dominicans
3940 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-781-5500.
Fax: 212-543-2554.
Promotes the physical, emotional, social, and economic well-being of residents of Upper Manhattan. Youth services: academic enhancement, peer counseling, recreational and cultural activities, high school and college preparation, vocational training, substance abuse counseling, health and nutrition, young mothers' group, summer camp. Mental health services: evaluation and assessment; crisis intervention; psychiatric evaluation and medication monitoring; psychosocial education; play therapy; women's support groups; individual, group and family psychotherapy; parenting group; and case management services. Special prevention, consultation and educational services to address the mental health needs of youth and their families. Other services: ESL and GED classes, immigration and citizenship assistance, housing assistance, TB prevention program, and much more.
Community Board 12
711 West 168th Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-568-8500.
Fax: 212-740-8197.
Email: manh12@verizonesg.net.
Community Board 12 is our community's representative body to City government. It has an important advisory role in dealing with land use and zoning matters, the City budget, municipal service delivery and many other matters relating to the community's welfare. All CB12 meetings are open to the public, and all members of our community are encouraged to participate.
Community League of The Heights
500 West 159th Street, New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-795-4779.
Fax: 212-740-5037.
Community based organization that provides a shelter for the homeless, housing services, senior citizen services, social services, and pregnancy prevention counseling. It also has a food pantry that is open daily 1-3 p.m.
Cornerstone Center
178 Bennett Avenue, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-923-5757.
Email: osanyc@verizon.net.
A multiservice center that offers classes in aerobics, yoga, karate, pottery, dance, music, a children's choir, English as a second language classes, a new mothers group, summer day camp for children, girl scouts in the fall, Alcoholics Anonymous, Sexaholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous. The center also has meeting space available for rental by community groups at low fees.
Dominican Women's Development Center
519 West 189th Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-994-6060.
Fax: 212-994-6065.
Email: guzmany@dwdc.org.
"El Centro" stands as an epi-center of women, children, youth, and family-focused activity in the Washington Heights/Inwood community. They counteract gender subordination by promoting self-sufficiency, advancing educational goals and engendering the necessary skills and self-esteem to transform individual lives and community. They offer free services to women residing in Washington Heights/Inwood and other NYC communities, including: educational development, GED preparation, ESL and BENL classes, citizenship preparation, child care and day care services, ESOL, computer technology training, after-school programs, economic development, home health aid training/placement, domestic violence program, parenting group, educational/support groups for adolescents and children, health promotion, vaccination outreach, advocacy and organizing, youth programs, information and referrals.
Foot Park
Tel: 212-674-5121.
Email: foot_park@hotmail.com.
Foot Park stands for better, safer access (by foot) to parks. Its first priority is to reclaim the footpath at 177th and Haven Avenue to Fort Washington Park. Volunteers are needed along with the participation of community groups to help achieve Foot Park's goals. Community participation is necessary to persuade city and state agencies, such as the DOT, to give WaHI high priority in the services they provide.
Friends of Payson Avenue
73 Payson Avenue, New York, NY 10034.
Tel: 646-427-9665.
Email: MnGovt@aol.com.
Friends of Payson Avenue is dedicated to improve Inwood Hill Park conditions. Help Payson Avenue residents with their quality of life issues and get a long-lasting resolution. Since the Park is 196 acres, the Parks Department does not have enough people to cover the area. You can help by becoming a volunteer member of this organization.
Gay and Lesbian Dominican Empowerment Organization (GALDE)
24 West 25th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10010.
Tel: 212-584-9311.
Fax: 212-675-3466.
Email: info@galde.org.
Seeks to increase the political visibility of the Dominican LGBT community and to provide HIV and health awareness, educational, and cultural activities. GALDE provides a safe space and essential human services to empower, educate and support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Dominicans. They also combat homophobia through outreach to the wider community. Although based downtown, many of GALDE's activities happen in Northern Manhattan.
Highbridge Canine Club
520 West 190th, 1I, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 646-763-9181.
Email: hbcc@netzero.net.
Aims to foster greater community involvement and goodwill by hosting pet events, family oriented events, and partnering with outreach programs to increase community awareness of the true nature of our canine friends (dogs). The group helped establish and manages the Highbridge Park North Dog Run at 193rd Street and Ft. George Avenue.
Hudson Heights Owners Coalition
Email: webmaster@hhoc.org.
An association of owner-occupied residential properties between J. Hood Wright Park (173rd Street) and Fort Tryon Park (Margaret Corbin Circle at 192nd Street), west of Broadway -- plus NaBors Apartments, which is located east of Broadway and above 192nd Street. Member buildings work together and with others in the community to maintain and enhance the quality of life and the property values in the neighborhood.
Inwood Community Services
651 Academy Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10034.
Tel: 212-942-0043.
Fax: 212-567-9476.
Programs include counseling, drug rehabilitation, adult literacy, and youth and family services.
Inwood Hill Nature Center
Inwood Hill Park; enter at 218th Street and Indian Road.
Tel: 311 (ask for the Inwood Hill Nature Center).
The Inwood Hill Nature Center serves as an in-park community center for public education, recreational activities and environmental studies. The center serves as a starting point for walking tours and as a workshop site for educational programs for the whole family. Other reasons to check out the nature center: exhibits highlighting the diversity of Inwood Hill Park's landscape, and an abundance of informational written material like trail maps, nature center brochures, and The RedTailer, a newsletter that lists walks, tours, and special events in this and other nature centers throughout the city.
Jewish Community Council of Washington Heights-Inwood
121 Bennett Avenue, #11A, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-568-5450.
Fax: 212-928-3059.
Email: jccwhi@juno.com.
Provides a broad range of social, educational, and supportive services for the elderly, immigrants, and needy in the community. Services include community relations, counseling/mental health, adult day care/day programs, employment services, English as a Second Language, entitlement services/advocacy, friendly visiting, food pantry and weekend meals, Holocaust survivor services, home care planning, immigrant and refugee services, adult recreational programs, respite, Kesher senior programs, telephone reassurance, and transportation.
Jewish Identity Center - Congregation Nodah Biyehudah
711 West 179 Street, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 917-521-1675.
Email: heights@yucs.org.
Offers an opportunity for Jews to learn about Judaism, socialize and interact with other Jews by inviting them over to people's homes and providing them with hospitality. They offer a begginers class to Judaism, conduct discussion groups on ethical and moral issues, and provide an uplifting experience, user-friendly prayer services, listening to beautiful melodies and much more.
Jumel Area Homeowners Association
430 West 162nd Street, New York. NY 10032.
Tel: 212-795-4234.
Fax: 212-795-3125.
Association of homeowners and residents living in the Historic Morris-Jumel Area. The Association has initiatives in landmark preservation, beautification, public safety and other civic matters that relate to the quality of life in the Washington Heights area.
Lavender Heights
c/o Cornerstone Center, 178 Bennett Avenue (at 189th Street).
Tel: 212-465-3100.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender social/community group. Make your own event: potlucks, movies, speakers, networking, community service, newsletter.
Neighborhood Link
Neighborhood Link provides neighborhood and community organizations with their own free, interactive Web site. In addition to facilitating communication within each neighborhood, Neighborhood Link also creates a two-way communication channel between local government and neighborhoods. Neighborhood Link is very simple to use and fast!
New York Hamster House
31 Nagle Avenue, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-569-5901.
Email: hamsters@thejessicawells.com.
New York Hamster House is located in Inwood, upper Manhattan, and is one of the only shelters in Manhattan that takes in hamsters. The NYHH both takes in homeless hamsters and adopts them out to loving homes.
Check out the site for adoptable hamsters, as well as ways that you can volunteer and help out at the New York Hamster House!
New York Self-Help Guide
A Web site with a wealth of how-to information for neighborhood leaders working to improve the quality of life in New York City. Learn how to organize for neighborhood safety, environment preservation and beautification, organization building, youth leadership, poverty alleviation, health promotion, and much more.
North Manhattan Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
P.O. Box 3570, New York, NY 10163.
Tel: 212-642-6300.
Fax: 212-273-1604.
Email: rblawrence85@yahoo.com.
For 25 years, this service sorority has been committed to serving and supporting the culturally rich and diverse community of Northern Manhattan with a vision toward developing programs in the areas of academic growth for youth, cultural enrichment, political awareness, and improved community relations. Their mission is to provide "innovative programming with a far-reaching impact." The Sorority has a membership of more than 200,000 college-educated women in more than 900 chapters in the United States, the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe.
Northern Manhattan Environmental Justice Coalition
c/o West Harlem Environmental Action, 271 West 125th Street, Suite 308, New York, NY 10027.
Tel: 212-961-1000 x316.
Email: Yolande@weact.org.
The mission of the coalition is to initiate and implement a Northern Manhattan community planning process that will result in a just and equitable plan for waste disposal in New York City. Northern Manhattan already treat most of Manhattan's solid waste and houses one-third of New York City's MTA diesel buses, the largest bus fleet in the country. This coalition aims to prevent further deterioration in the environmental health of our communities.
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation
76 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-568-9166.
Fax: 212-740-9645.
NMIC provides services that form a critical link in the overall stability of a rapidly growing and changing low-income community. Its housing programs minimize evictions and maximize improvements to the housing stock. Employment and social services give residents needed tools for attaining economic independence and stabilizing their home life. NMIC's Workforce Development Center provides comprehensive skills, training, education, job placement, support services and follow-up monitoring and retention services to Washington Heights and Inwood residents. NMIC also provides public benefits advocacy to ensure that eligible residents receive appropriate public assistance, food stamps, day care placement, and disability payments. Social services include crisis intervention and ongoing support, assisting formerly homeless families to relocate into permanent housing, promoting self-suficiency; also, domestic violence programs, health and nutrition education, community education on a variety of topics, and advocacy with public and private institutions.
Outwood - Social Group for Inwood-Area LGBTQ People
Outwood is meant to be a nonpolitical, noncommittal, relaxed social group for Inwood, Washington Heights and Fordham area lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. They organize hikes, picnics, bar gatherings, clubbing, etc.
Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York (Masonic Temple)
454 West 155th Street, New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-281-2211 or 212-281-2288.
A benevolent service organization dedicated to the uplifting of people of color, the Prince Hall Masons have been a driving force in the struggle for African American civil rights, and they continue to organize and participate in social service projects to improve the lives of people in Northern Manhattan. They are planning to reach out more to the Washington Heights community north of 155th Street in the future -- in the past they've focused more on Harlem.
Riverside Edgecombe Neighborhood Association (RENA)
544 West 157 Street, New York, NY 10032.
Tel: 212-234-2285.
Provides housing and community service programs where people can learn about tenant rights, receive assistance with housing benefits, organize tenant associations, and teach tenants how to improve their buildings.
Russian American Cultural Heritage Center (RACH-C)
34 Hillside Avenue, 4C, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-567-5834.
Email: olga@culturelinks.net.
An educational and charitable community development organization serving the Russian American community. RACH-C strives to preserve the culture, traditions and values immigrants have brought from their Russian-speaking countries of origin, so that these can be enjoyed and respected by their children, and help enrich American culture. The organization encourages writers and artists in their endeavors, and provides advice and technical assistance to Russian American organizations and individuals who are attempting to bring worthwhile projects to life. It also provides workshops, seminars, etc., regarding the history, culture and characteristics of Russsian Americans.
The Upper Manhattan Experience
Tel: 917 613-7569.
Email: claudnotes@yahoo.com.
Living in Northern Manhattan can make it hard to meet people, since most residents travel downtown for work and socializing. This Meetup group is geared towards adults living in our neighborhood. Our goal is to bring people together to have fun locally.
Union of Dominican Visual Artists
121 Sherman Ave, Suite 52, New York, NY 10034. P.O Box 718, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-545-5339.
Email: info@udva.org.
Membership organization that provides technical support to visual artists and creative programs in art education, while helping to address social, cultural, and economic development issues in our community.
Upper Manhattan Council Assisting Neighbors (UCAN)
519 West 189th Street, Suite F, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-568-2791.
Fax: 212-568-2795.
Email: Info@ucanny.org.
UCAN's mission is to enhance the local community and build the capacity of Northern Manhattan neighbors, small businesses and community-based organizations. UCAN targets the underserved Latino, immigrant and low-income communities of Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill. Programs focus on community and economic development, education, housing, and arts and culture.
US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Washington Heights/Inwood Detachment
c/o Gallagher, 452 Fort Washington Avenue, #63, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-923-6530.
Email: jgallagher@bmcc.cuny.edu.
A uniformed, volunteer component of Team Coast Guard that serves the community with a detachment of volunteers. Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary work with the regular and reserve members of the U.S. Coast Guard to perform valuable missions throughout the year. Interested people are welcome to join.
Washington Heights Neighborhood Association (WHNA)
751 West 183rd Street, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-923-7800 x1162.
Email: whnafobpk@aol.com.
Volunteer community group founded in 1988. Our goal is to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. Sponsors children's summer programs at Bennett Park and the community garden at 184th Street.
Washington Heights-Inwood Coalition
652 West 187th Street, New York, NY 10033.
Tel: 212-781-6722.
Fax: 212-740-8509.
Provides housing and community service programs where people can learn about tenant rights, receive assistance with housing benefits, organize tenant associations, and teach tenants how to improve their buildings. In addition, WHIC offers conflict resolution programs where disputes among community residents are resolved.
YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood
54 Nagle Avenue, New York, NY 10040.
Tel: 212-569-6200.
Fax: 212-567-5915.
Email: ywashhts@aol.com.
A multiservice organization that provides all kinds of recreational and educational activities for children (playgroups, after-school program, school holiday trips, summer day camp, sports, teen social program, teen mentoring). The Y also has health and fitness facilities, including a weight room, Nautilus equipment, LifeCycles, stairmasters, treadmills, and a full-size gymnasium. Finally, it houses the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Senior Center with fitness and yoga classes, language classes, Kosher lunches, social clubs, celebrations, parties, and group vacations.