Why we exist
Plenty of help exists in New York City.
Finding it is the hard part.
In New York City, 1 in 4 residents struggles with food insecurity. 2 in 10 children experience homelessness. These aren't hidden crises — the city has programs, funding, and organizations dedicated to addressing both.
But when we started talking to teachers about what their students needed most, a different picture emerged. The programs existed. What was missing was a clear, judgment-free way to find them.
Our story
Built from a conversation, not a conference room
CityHelp was founded in 2025 after a simple observation: the gap between New Yorkers in need and the services available to them wasn't a resource problem — it was a navigation problem. Too many people were falling through the cracks not because help didn't exist, but because asking for it felt stigmatizing, and finding it felt overwhelming.
People didn't want to ask for help. And for those who did, navigating the patchwork of city agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations was a system built more for administrators than for neighbors. We started building Sam — a free, conversational AI navigator — to meet people where they are. No forms. No wrong doors. No judgment.
We're preparing to launch our first pilot in the Lower East Side — bringing Sam to neighbors who deserve an easier path to the help already around them.
Our team
The people behind CityHelp
Built by New Yorkers who believe the city's safety net should actually be visible.
Board of Directors
Bobby Costanzo
Co-founder & Board Director
AngelList · UNICEF
Rainer Busch
Co-founder & Board Director
McKinsey & Company · Mercury Partners
Lauren Young
Board Director
Living Waters · Ligo Partners