Project Renewal Taps DHS Veteran Doreen Thomann-Howe as Chief Operating Officer
/- Former DHS deputy commissioner joins homeless services nonprofit that provides shelter, housing, health care, and employment programs to thousands of New Yorkers each year –
(New York, NY) – Project Renewal, the New York City homeless services nonprofit founded in 1967, has hired New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) veteran Doreen Thomann-Howe as the organization’s new Chief Operating Officer. Thomann-Howe will oversee Project Renewal’s programs and services, including shelters, supportive housing, health care, workforce development, and the social-purpose catering company City Beet Kitchens.
Thomann-Howe has dedicated her career to addressing the citywide challenges of poverty, mental illness, and homelessness, including seven years at DHS. Most recently, as the Deputy Commissioner of Family Services, she oversaw the City’s provision of shelter and services to families with children experiencing homelessness, with thousands of families able to move out of shelter into permanent housing during her tenure.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a passion to positively impact the lives of people caught in cycles of poverty and homelessness, to give them the best opportunities to realize their dreams,” said Thomann-Howe. “I have long admired Project Renewal’s high-quality, innovative programs which have earned the organization a reputation as one of New York City’s leading providers of homeless services.”
“We are excited to have Doreen help lead Project Renewal as we continue expanding our services and developing new programs to address our city’s evolving homelessness crisis,” said Eric Rosenbaum, President and CEO of Project Renewal. “Doreen’s expertise and proven ability to help New Yorkers experiencing homelessness get back on their feet will be tremendous assets to our organization.”
In a previous role with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Thomann-Howe co-directed a citywide initiative that focused on New Yorkers living with serious mental health concerns and re-engaged them when they fell out of care. In addition to her work in City government, she has worked at Harlem United Community AIDS Center, the Brooklyn Center for Psychotherapy, and Gouverneur Hospital. She received her BA in Psychology from City College of NY, her MSW from the NYU School of Social Work, and is a licensed clinical social worker.
Thomann-Howe joins Project Renewal as the organization continues to expand its housing and services, including the following:
Earlier this year, Project Renewal opened the first phase of Bedford Green House in the Bronx with 117 affordable and supportive apartments, including units set aside for New Yorkers with histories of homelessness, families impacted by mental health concerns and substance use disorder, and low-income households. The LEED-certified building features on-site health and social services and a rooftop aquaponics greenhouse.
Construction will soon begin on the second phase of Bedford Green House, adding 116 additional apartments, a community medical clinic, a gym, and The Molly B. Kronick Library and Learning Center.
In Midtown Manhattan, the organization is redeveloping its New Providence women’s shelter, replacing the old building with a new 21-story tower that will feature 130 permanent supportive housing units, 171 shelter beds, and a primary care clinic to serve women living in the building and the surrounding community.
Project Renewal is developing a 200-bed men’s shelter it will operate as part of a new development at the old Greenpoint Hospital site in Brooklyn. The shelter will include a medical clinic, occupational therapy, workforce development, and mental health services.
The organization will launch its fifth mobile medical van later this year, accompanying its five shelter-based medical clinics.
About Project Renewal
Project Renewal is a New York City-based nonprofit organization that works to end the cycle of homelessness by empowering individuals and families to renew their lives with health, homes and jobs. Project Renewal’s innovative programs are designed to end the revolving door of emergency rooms, jails, shelters and the streets. For 55 years, Project Renewal’s pioneering approach has created uniquely integrated and comprehensive programs that are replicated around the nation, helping even beyond the thousands of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness that Project Renewal serves every year. www.projectrenewal.org
