[MOUNT VERNON, N.Y., DECEMBER 8, 2025] — The American Red Cross shelter located at the former Holmes Elementary School in Mount Vernon, N.Y., has transitioned to be supported by the City of Mount Vernon and Westchester County as of 2:00 p.m. on December 8, 2025.

Individuals and families impacted by the November 23, 2025, fire on Cottage Avenue and Park Avenue in Mount Vernon who need lodging assistance may continue to stay at the shelter. The Red Cross will continue to support these residents with recovery planning, disaster health and disaster mental health services as needed. All residents who are already registered with the Red Cross have been assigned a caseworker to help with their recovery after the fire or they can call 1-877-RED CROSS (877-733-2767) if they do not know who their caseworker is.

After the fire, the Red Cross registered 242 individuals for recovery assistance, composing 112 households, which include 44 children, 23 older adults and 28 pets.

In coordination with the City of Mount Vernon, more than 150 Red Cross responders have supported this shelter for 14 nights and provided more than 800 overnight stays to impacted residents. Additionally, the Red Cross has provided more than 800 lunch and dinner meals with the City of Mount Vernon helping coordinate community partners to provide thousands more meals for impacted residents.

“From the first moments of this fire early in the morning on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, our Red Cross team has been on the ground to help support these residents who have been forced from their homes,” said Stephanie Dunn Ashley, Chapter CEO of the American Red Cross, Metro NY North. “It has been incredible to see the outpouring of community support, especially around the Thanksgiving holiday, from the Mayor and the City to so many organizations and businesses who have helped provide food, clothes, financial support and so much more to these residents.”

“For the past two weeks, our city has worked hand in hand with the Red Cross to make sure every person who was impacted by this fire has the resources they need to get back on their feet,” said Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. “Thank you to the Red Cross and to every community member who has made sure that our neighbors are cared for during this time of need.”

The Red Cross would like to thank every agency, organization, business and individual who has helped support the residents impacted by the fire on Cottage Avenue, including: Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and the City of Mount Vernon, Dr. Demario A. Strickland and the Mount Vernon City School District, Westchester Department of Social Services, and countless community organizations and individuals who have been involved over the past two weeks.

All Red Cross assistance is provided free of charge and made possible by the generosity of the public. To donate to Red Cross Disaster Relief and help people affected by disasters big and small, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. To become a Red Cross volunteer visit www.redcross.org/volunteer.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS METRO NEW YORK NORTH CHAPTER

The American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter serves the residents of Westchester and Rockland counties in New York, Greenwich, Conn., and the US Military Academy at West Point. Powered by its volunteer workforce and the generosity of the American public, the Red Cross helps to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies big and small. We also collect lifesaving blood; teach important skills that save lives; and support veterans, military members and their families. For more information, visit www.redcross.org/metronyn or follow us (@redcrossny) on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, or Bluesky.