To our community,

During this time of uncertainty, the New York Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) is working in partnership with the NY Race Track Chaplaincy (RTCANY), the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST), the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA) and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to support and assist the workers who are the backbone of our industry in New York.

Many have asked how they can help the backstretch community during this unprecedented time. Please see below for information and links to three valuable partners and if you can, please consider a donation to one or more of them.

 

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The New York Race Track Chaplaincy ministers to the heart and soul of the entire backstretch  community and their families with children’s enrichment, social service, recreational, and educational programs as well as non-denominational religious services.  During this crisis, the most urgent need is for food to stock the backstretch food pantry.

You can support the Belmont food pantry with either a monetary or non-perishable food donation.

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BEST is a nonprofit organization that is devoted to meeting the health and social welfare needs of the several thousand barn area (“backstretch”) workers of the Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga racetracks by providing on-site counseling and primary healthcare services, access to health insurance, and case management assistance.​

BEST urgently seeks funds to expand the hours of its vitally-needed, onsite medical clinic, so that it can be more readily available for the Belmont backstretch community.

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Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization that raises funds to operate a one-of-a kind early childhood education and development program at Anna House located at Belmont Park. BCCA provides quality daycare and preschool for children between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years old, with unique hours of 5:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. so working parents can care for the horses.

With the doors of Anna House – normally open 365 days a year — closed, and upcoming events postponed, the BCCA staff is working remotely as they continue to be true to their mission to serve the children and the families of the backstretch. While all of these measures are necessary, they do come with financial consequences for the organization as they have a large overhead which must be maintained during this closure. BCCA is monitoring the situation closely and working with their Board of Directors to take precautionary measures to cut costs and assist their families.

The most effective and efficient way to help is to make a financial donation to the BCCA Family Fund to cover the costs of essential supplies such as diapers, wipes, formula, etc.

Any amount makes a difference!

NYTHA understands that this is a challenging time, but please consider a donation to one or more of our backstretch charities. This will ensure their continued ability to provide physical, spiritual, educational and practical assistance to those who help make our livelihoods possible.

Sincerely,

Will