Support Our Community
Benevolence & the Organizations We Support
BCC Benevolence seeks to support important local organizations through direct engagement, backed up by informed financial support.
Typically, we meet with organizations annually to understand needs and new initiatives, and to direct our volunteer and financial support to where it will make the most difference. These direct connections help build the fabric that we call community.
BCC’s commitment to being Open and Affirming extends to our partnerships with organizations like Neighbors Link. Through financial support via direct grants from our Benevolence fund and special offerings, we’ve contributed significantly to Neighbors Link’s community law practice. In 2023 alone, our congregation donated over $4,000 towards this vital initiative.
Join us in making a meaningful impact in our community. Learn more about how you can support our efforts towards a more inclusive and supportive community for all by visiting Neighbor’s Link .
BCC’s support for the Ossining Food Pantry is multifaceted. We provide direct grants, supply dedicated volunteers, and organize Peanut Butter Sundays—on the first Sunday of every month, our congregation is encouraged to donate jars of peanut butter or equivalent monetary contributions. Additionally, 25% of the proceeds from our annual CROP walk are donated to the Ossining Food Pantry.
Join us in making a difference and ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry.
IFCA (Interfaith Council for Action) advocates for affordable housing, develops and manages residential properties, and serves as a bridge to community resources such as financial empowerment programs. BCC is proud to support IFCA through direct grants and an annual holiday gift program.
Our engagement with the IFCA community extends beyond financial contributions. BCC has sponsored day camp attendance for IFCA children and provided tutors to support their education. We maintain a close relationship with IFCA’s Thrift Store and, in 2022, co-hosted a riverfront party for IFCA residents and staff. The event was a joyous occasion, with congregation members dancing enthusiastically and our pastor playing Jenga with IFCA kids of all ages.
Join us in our mission to create life-changing opportunities for our community.
At Briarcliff Congregational Church (BCC), we are committed to addressing economic disparities and promoting work-life balance in our community. We proudly support the Ossining Micro Fund, which improves lives and reduces financial stress by providing interest-free loans and financial education.
BCC contributes to the Ossining Micro Fund through annual grants and by sponsoring special projects, such as financial literacy programs for the Ossining community. We also actively participate in panel discussions and events hosted by the Micro Fund. Our partnership has directly supported three families in need of their services.
Join us in making a meaningful impact.
At Briarcliff Congregational Church (BCC), we are wholeheartedly dedicated to nurturing every aspect of our community, including the vital needs of families and children. We recognize the unique challenges faced by working parents and the importance of a supportive, high-quality educational environment for their children.
That’s why we proudly support the Ossining Children’s Center (OCC), whose mission is to offer exceptional educational childcare for children of working parents, creating a safe and nurturing space that lays the foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Our support for OCC includes direct grants and our annual Christmas gift drives, which help ensure that children and families have access to the resources they need. By partnering with OCC, we contribute to addressing the pain points of family dynamics and educational barriers, working together to build a brighter future for all.
At Briarcliff Congregational Church (BCC), we are dedicated to supporting the diverse needs of our community, including addressing aspects of mental health and well-being. We are proud to partner with the Emergency Shelter Partnership (ESP), a 501(c)3 organization that brings together interfaith congregations in Northern Westchester County to provide short-term, emergency shelter during the coldest months of winter.
For over ten years, BCC has been an integral part of this initiative, offering both financial support and the dedication of our volunteers. We provide a safe and welcoming space for our unhoused neighbors, serving home-cooked dinners, breakfast, and to-go lunches. Our involvement aims to offer not just shelter, but also a sense of stability and care during challenging times.
Through our ongoing contributions and the compassionate efforts of our congregation, we strive to make a positive impact on the well-being of those we serve. Watch our calendar of events in December-March for opportunities to join us in fostering a supportive and inclusive community for everyone.
Career Closet Westchester works with qualified agencies, training programs and educational institutions to provide interview-appropriate attire and accessories free of charge to underserved job – seeking women. Career Closet has been located within Briarcliff Congregational Church since 1997, with all rent and utility charges covered by BCC.
Since Career Closet’s founding, BCC members have served on its board and as volunteers sorting donated clothing and helping clients find the right professional look. As part of the partnership, Career Closet and the BCC Rummage Sale share clothing to fit each other’s missions. Both programs allow women of limited financial means to have good quality clothing and make the best first impressions in job interviews and in life.
At Briarcliff Congregational Church (BCC), we’re passionate about addressing economic disparities and nurturing a world where everyone’s basic needs are met. That’s why, since 2018, we’ve been actively involved in Church World Service’s CROP Hunger Walk, an inspiring event dedicated to tackling food insecurity both locally and globally.
Each year, we team up with other local congregations and community members to walk, pledge, and reflect on how we can best support those struggling with hunger. Our commitment goes beyond the walk—we donate 25% of the proceeds to a local hunger organization, often the Ossining Food Pantry, to provide immediate relief where it’s needed most.
This event is more than a fundraiser; it’s a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to care for our hungry neighbors and to work together towards a more just and compassionate world.
We invite you to join us in this journey, making a meaningful impact and helping to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Watch our calendar of events for specific time and date of our next CROP Walk.
At Briarcliff Congregational Church (BCC), we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, especially those affected by domestic violence. We proudly support Hope’s Door in their mission to end domestic violence and empower survivors to achieve safety, independence, and healing from the trauma of abuse.
Hope’s Door provides a vital range of services, including shelter, counseling, a legal center, and financial empowerment programs, all aimed at addressing the complexities of domestic abuse. Their work directly supports individuals and families navigating the challenges of safety and security, as well as the intricate dynamics of family life.
BCC contributes to this crucial mission through annual grants and our Christmas gift drive, further supporting Hope’s Door’s efforts. Additionally, clients of Hope’s Door often benefit from resources provided by Career Closet, located in BCC’s Stimpson Room.
Through our partnership, we strive to foster a community where every individual can find the support they need to rebuild and thrive. We invite you to be a part of our efforts to make a meaningful difference by advancing safety, healing, and empowerment for everyone in our community.
At Briarcliff Congregational Church (BCC), we are passionate about creating a community where everyone’s needs are met with warmth and understanding. That’s why we’re thrilled to support For All Seasons (FAS), a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to addressing the gaps in social services for families facing critical needs.
In a time when the high cost of living and mental health challenges can weigh heavily, FAS offers crucial support to those who need it most. Through our direct grants and annual Christmas gift drive, we aim to provide relief and joy to families struggling to make ends meet.
Together with For All Seasons, we’re working to build a community where everyone can find the support they need to flourish. Join us in this important endeavor and help us bring hope, stability, and well-being to those who need it most.
Open Arms for Refugees is dedicated to welcoming and assisting individuals fleeing persecution, helping them find a true home and build a new life within our local community. Our dedicated volunteers have successfully resettled numerous “New Neighbors” across various households and have created the Westchester Welcome program, which empowers organizations to assist additional individuals and families.
Briarcliff Congregational Church (BCC) members were instrumental in founding and supporting Open Arms. Our connections with various community organizations and houses of worship have been crucial in fostering this collaborative effort to “welcome the stranger.” As cofounder Dana Levenberg has stated, “Open Arms would not have achieved all it has done with our new neighbors without the creativity and hard work of BCC volunteers and their dedication to uniting the community for this important cause.”
Join us in our mission to provide support and a warm welcome to those seeking refuge. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our new neighbors.
