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How to help the victims of the Brooklyn building collapse

By

Karen Yi

Published Nov 13, 2026 at 12:59 p.m. ET

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Several families were displaced after the disaster, with some recovering in hospitals or mourning loved ones.

 

Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

By

Karen Yi

Published Nov 13, 2026 at 12:59 p.m. ET

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New Yorkers are stepping up to help the families affected by the fatal building collapse in Flatbush, which left eight people dead and 18 others injured.

Several organizations, including the YMCA and local elected leaders, are asking for donations, gift cards and new toiletries to help the families displaced by the disaster.

The Red Cross opened a reception center at the YMCA for families in need of support and assistance. A spokesperson said eight families have registered, including 16 adults and six children. The city is also using a nearby hotel to house families who lost their homes or had to evacuate from nearby buildings.

“These families lost everything,” Councilmember Farah Louis, who represents Flatbush, said during a press conference Friday. She said her office was standing with families to “make sure you get the shelter you need, the relief you need and the resources you need to build back again.”

Here’s a list of ways to help.

New toiletries

Organizations are asking for new and unopened donations of toiletries. That includes toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, body wipes, tissues, tampons and pads, hairbrushes and baby wipes. Those donations can be dropped off at several locations:

Gift cards

New Yorkers can also donate gift cards in $25, $50 or $100 denominations that will go directly to impacted families to use for groceries, clothing and other household essentials. Gift cards can be for food, phone service or cash. Those donations can be dropped off at several locations:

Monetary donations

The Flatbush YMCA started a GoFundMe for contributions.

Anderson Velez, 35, whose wife and two children fell into the rubble and survived, also launched a fundraising page as his 9-year-old recovers in the hospital. The family had just moved out of a homeless shelter and moved into their apartment eight days before the collapse.

The family of one of the victims, Jose Luis Caguana, has also started a fundraising campaign. Caguana, 26, left behind a 4-year-old son and his wife, who is pregnant with their second child.

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is accepting donations for families here.

The Flatbush Building Collapse Emergency Relief Fund, created by The Flatbush Development Corporation and the Flatbush Tenant Coalition, is accepting donations as they meet with affected families to assess their housing needs.

Clothing

The Bridge Multicultural & Advocacy Project is asking for clothing donations. New Yorkers can drop donations at 1894 Flatbush Ave. on Monday, Nov. 16 and Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mark Appel, the group’s founder, said the organization is accepting new or gently used clothing in good condition. In particular, they are looking for winter gear such as gloves, scarves and sweaters, as well as underwear. People are encouraged to drop off sizes medium to large, as well as kids’ sizes.

Toys

Community Board 17 is hosting an annual holiday party on Dec. 18 and will invite the families affected by the collapse. New Yorkers can contribute new toys or children’s gifts for the celebration, which can be dropped off at the Community Board 17 offices at 4112 Farragut Rd.

New and unused bedding

Sheets, pillows, pillowcases and blankets are being accepted at the following locations:

Tagged

brooklyn

flatbush

public safety

Karen Yi

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Karen Yi covers homelessness and poverty. She joined the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom in 2020. Before that, Karen covered Newark for the Star-Ledger and spent almost a decade working for newspapers in New Jersey and Florida. She grew up in Miami and has a dog named Cashew. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-589-1460.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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