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About UA3
UA3 is a New York City nonprofit working with Lower East Side residents to meet practical needs, strengthen local connections, and create opportunity.
Who we are
UA3 is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2015 with a vision of making a positive impact and lasting improvements in the underserved segments of our communities. Today, its mission is to empower New Yorkers across the city by advancing food security, community well-being, and access to essential resources.
UA3 does this by channeling needed resources to neighbors in need and by supporting socio-economic opportunity, youth empowerment, education, and the health, social, and mental well-being of community members.
UA3 works with the public and private sectors, educational institutions, and community social and service organizations to achieve its goals. It values collaboration, diversity, innovation, and integrity in everything it does.
Food access
The Community First Food Pantry started in 2020 as a response to the pandemic and food insecurity in New York City. It provides fresh, healthy, and culturally appropriate food, as well as PPE, to community members in need, regardless of their income, background, or circumstances.
UA3 also offers nutrition education, cooking classes, youth leadership development opportunities, and referrals to other resources that can help neighbors achieve greater well-being. The pantry is more than a place to receive food; it is a community of caring and compassion that welcomes everyone with dignity and respect.
History
UA3’s educational-equity work traces back to 2012, when Sean and Kai Hong helped provide technology to P.S. 130 students. UA3 was founded as a nonprofit in 2015.
Earlier UA3 work focused on technology access, learning environments, workplace readiness, and community tech support.
Although technology support is now a small part of UA3’s programs, the organization continues this longtime community commitment by supporting partner schools and individuals with technology needs.
In 2020, UA3 joined New York City’s COVID-19 response with meals, PPE, groceries, and partnerships across hospitals and neighborhoods.
That emergency work helped establish food distribution in Lower Manhattan and grew into today’s Community First Food Pantry.
UA3 and then–Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams also joined forces to support early education through Brooklyn Basics, which shares five fun, simple, and powerful ways to help children from birth to age three grow up happy and smart.
Read the full COVID-19 response story from spring 2020, when UA3 delivered meals and protective equipment to hospitals and first responders and opened a food bank in Chinatown.
Supporters
UA3’s work is made possible by partners, organizational and individual donors, in-kind supporters, and public officials.