Polish Assistance

Polish Assistance, historically known as Bratnia Pomoc, is a charitable foundation based in New York City that provides financial and practical support to people of Polish origin experiencing economic hardship. The organization was established in 1956 by Jan Dembinski and his wife in response to the needs of Polish immigrants who had reached the United States after the Second World War, many of them fleeing communist rule in Poland. Its early beneficiaries included former military personnel, government officials, educators, writers, artists, and other professionals whose qualifications and previous social positions did not readily translate into economic security in a new country. The foundation initially operated through fundraising and the distribution of small grants and loans. Its assistance was intended not only to address immediate financial need but also to help immigrants adjust to unfamiliar economic and social conditions and participate more fully in community life. The organization’s stated purposes include assistance during illness and distress, support for people of Polish origin who are in need, and the provision of information that can help beneficiaries obtain appropriate aid. As its resources developed, Polish Assistance expanded beyond direct grants. Between 1973 and 1975, it acquired three boarding houses in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. These properties provided accommodation for as many as approximately two dozen people and represented an effort to offer a stable living environment to older or otherwise vulnerable Polish immigrants. The houses were later sold or otherwise liquidated between 1992 and 1998. Following the collapse of communism in Poland in 1989, the foundation also acquired a property near Warsaw for elderly people who wished to return to Poland. That property was eventually donated to a Polish foundation serving blind people. In its current work, Polish Assistance concentrates primarily on Polish immigrants in the New York metropolitan area and has also been extending its activities in Florida. Direct assistance is generally provided monthly. It commonly supplements low Social Security income or helps cover exceptional medical expenses, allowing recipients to remain in the community despite limited means. The foundation is housed in a limestone, three-story neo-Renaissance mansion constructed in 1917 and owned and occupied by the Kosciuszko Foundation. Fundraising has included the annual Bal Polonaise in New York City. The event has traditionally featured a Polonaise dance performed by distinguished guests and has been held at prominent venues, including The Plaza, The Pierre, the St. Regis, and Sheraton East. Earlier benefit events were associated with pianist Arthur Rubinstein and his wife Nela; the first dance benefiting Polish Assistance took place in 1956 at the Park Avenue penthouse of Helena Rubinstein, who was also known as Princess Gourielli. Over time, the event’s guest list has included figures such as Princess Grace of Monaco, Arthur Rubinstein, Helena Rubinstein, and Princess Lucie Shirazee. The organization therefore combines recurring direct aid with community-based philanthropy and cultural fundraising.

Polish Assistance was founded in New York City in 1956 under the leadership of Jan Dembinski and his wife. The organization emerged during a period when many Polish immigrants who had arrived in the United States after the Second World War were struggling to establish stable lives after escaping communist Poland. The people seeking help often came from professional or public-service backgrounds, including the military, government, education, literature, and the arts. Their prior experience and status did not necessarily provide them with employment, income, or social support in the United States. In its first phase, Polish Assistance raised money and distributed small grants and loans. Its work was framed as both relief and integration: the foundation sought to help people manage immediate hardship while adapting to new economic and social circumstances. Its mission also encompassed aid during illness and distress and the creation of an information resource that could direct beneficiaries toward useful assistance. The organization later developed a housing component. From 1973 through 1975, it purchased three boarding houses in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Together, the properties could accommodate roughly two dozen residents and offered a more durable response to the housing needs of older or vulnerable Polish immigrants. These properties were liquidated over the period from 1992 to 1998. Political change in Poland created another opportunity for the foundation to support its community. After the fall of communism in 1989, Polish Assistance acquired a property near Warsaw for elderly beneficiaries who preferred to return to Poland. The property was eventually donated to a Polish foundation for the blind, ending its role in the organization’s own assistance program. The foundation’s present focus is direct aid to needy Polish immigrants in the New York metropolitan area, with efforts also expanding into Florida. Support is normally distributed monthly and may supplement inadequate Social Security income or pay for unusual medical expenses. This model reflects a shift from the organization’s early postwar mission, while retaining its emphasis on older immigrants and people whose resources are insufficient to meet basic or exceptional needs. Fundraising has been supported by the Bal Polonaise, an annual New York event featuring a traditional Polonaise and prominent guests. The benefit’s history includes an initial 1956 dance held at Helena Rubinstein’s Park Avenue penthouse, with the participation of Arthur and Nela Rubinstein. Later editions were held at several major New York hotels, including The Plaza, The Pierre, the St. Regis, and Sheraton East. The foundation is housed in a 1917 limestone neo-Renaissance mansion owned and occupied by the Kosciuszko Foundation.

• 1998

  Ocean Grove property liquidation completed

  [1]Polish Assistanceen.wikipedia.org

  The organization’s three Ocean Grove boarding houses had been liquidated by the end of the reported 1992–1998 period.

• 1992

  Boarding-house properties began to be liquidated

  [1]Polish Assistanceen.wikipedia.org

  The Ocean Grove boarding houses began to be liquidated during a process that continued through 1998.

• 1989

  Post-communist assistance expansion

  [1]Polish Assistanceen.wikipedia.org

  After the fall of communism in Poland, the foundation acquired a property near Warsaw for elderly people wishing to return to Poland.

• 1975

  Three New Jersey boarding houses operational

  [1]Polish Assistanceen.wikipedia.org

  By 1975, Polish Assistance had acquired three Ocean Grove boarding houses capable of housing approximately two dozen people.

• 1973

  Expansion into residential assistance

  [1]Polish Assistanceen.wikipedia.org

  The organization began acquiring three boarding houses in Ocean Grove, New Jersey; the acquisitions were completed by 1975.

• 1956

  Foundation established

  [1]Polish Assistanceen.wikipedia.org

  Jan Dembinski and his wife established Polish Assistance in New York to support Polish immigrants facing financial and social hardship.

• 1956

  First benefit dance

  [1]Polish Assistanceen.wikipedia.org

  A benefit dance for Polish Assistance was held at the Park Avenue penthouse of Helena Rubinstein, with an association to pianist Arthur Rubinstein and his wife Nela.

A community-focused charitable foundation serving people of Polish origin through recurring financial aid, emergency support, social integration assistance, and cultural fundraising.

• Financial aid

  Monthly direct assistance

  Recurring financial support for needy Polish immigrants, particularly older people whose Social Security income is insufficient. Assistance is intended to help recipients meet ordinary living costs and remain financially stable in the community.

• Emergency aid

  Medical and emergency assistance

  Support for extraordinary medical bills and other periods of illness, distress, or acute need. This service extends the foundation’s original grant-making role beyond routine monthly support.

• Community services

  Information and integration support

  Information-oriented assistance intended to help people of Polish origin navigate new economic and social conditions, identify relevant support, and become more integrated into community life.

• Fundraising event · 1956

  Bal Polonaise

  An annual New York fundraising ball supporting Polish Assistance. The event incorporates the traditional Polonaise dance and has been staged at major venues including The Plaza, The Pierre, the St. Regis, and Sheraton East.

• 1956Bal Polonaise

  New York City, United States

  Polish Assistance launched its recurring cultural fundraising tradition with a benefit dance associated with Helena Rubinstein and Arthur and Nela Rubinstein. Later editions developed into the annual Bal Polonaise.

  Outcome. The event became one of the organization’s principal fundraising activities.

  Source

• 1989

  Support elderly returnees to PolandStrategy

  Background

  The fall of communism changed the circumstances of Polish immigrants and made return to Poland more feasible for some elderly beneficiaries.

  Action taken

  The foundation purchased a property near Warsaw to accommodate elderly people who wished to return to Poland.

  Aftermath

  The property was later donated to a Polish foundation for the blind.

  Source

• 1973

  Acquire residential properties for beneficiariesStrategy

  Background

  Small grants and loans did not address every housing need among vulnerable Polish immigrants.

  Action taken

  Polish Assistance acquired three boarding houses in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, with capacity for approximately two dozen people.

  Aftermath

  The boarding houses remained part of the organization’s assistance model until the properties were liquidated between 1992 and 1998.

  Source

1. 1Polish Assistanceen.wikipedia.org