Support Teresa Concepcion's Medical Recovery

**Please read updates, below**

Early last week, Teresa Concepcion, who is a mother, grandmother, friend, community partner and the Executive Director of the Red Door Place in the West Village, suffered a medical emergency.

Teresa has been the Executive Director of the Red Door Place, a nonprofit organization serving the community with a weekly (Saturday) hot meal and food pantry, since 2016. During the pandemic, under Teresa’s leadership, the Red Door Place persisted in providing food insecure guests, not missing a single day in its twice-a-week schedule, serving around 3000 guests per week. In addition to her day-to-day support of the guests of the Red Door Place, Teresa has partnered with a number of programs to educate the community about food insecurity, including a close relationship with the nearby City and Country School community. Most recently, under Teresa's leadership, the Red Door Place expanded their offerings to include necessary wrap around services to guest, including: legal support, assistance with government benefits, and support services for addiction and emotional and behavioral health challenges, through the "Bridging the Gap" program. Prior to her time at the Red Door Place, Teresa served as the President of the North West Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition.

Now, it is time for the community to wrap Teresa in the same loving support she has extended to others. Teresa is in the ICU, currently unresponsive, after suffering from hemorrhagic stroke and is experiencing kidney failure. In addition, Teresa is among the many hard working nonprofit employees who are uninsured.

Her daughters: Tess, Valentina, and Amy (along with her grandchildren: Sebastian, Penelope, Violet, and Khloe) are staying hopeful, but know that the road to recovery will be long.

We welcome your contributions towards Teresa’s care, rent, and practical needs as she recuperates. We will provide updates in terms of expected cost needs and care updates if, and when, they become available.

We hope, most of all, that you continue to hold Teresa- and her family, friends, co-workers, and loyal team of volunteers- in your thoughts, prayers and hearts in this season of hopeful recovery. We offer our sincere gratitude for any offering of practical support that feels available and meaningful to you and your family, for a woman who has spent so much of her life in the service of others.

As for the Red Door Place, they have temporarily ceased operations as they make arrangements for operations in Teresa’s absence. Please continue to check in here for information if you wish to offer practical support or volunteer your time to the Red Door Place in Teresa’s honor.

More information on Teresa’s work at the Red Door place may be found at: https://www.villagepreservation.org/2023/05/23/2023-village-awardee-the-red-door-place-201-west-13th-street/

https://www.thereddoorplace.org/

Please note: all funds raised will be received by Teresa's family on her behalf. Family member Amy Andersen will be the designated beneficiary.