BOROUGH DIGEST

The Bronx: NYCHA's Social Services Department hosted the Bronx Social Services Street Fair on August 23rd near the Classic Community Center at Melrose Houses. Because many of the residents who are referred to Social Services experience financial difficulties, the focus of the fair was on providing information about available support services which may impact residents' ability to obtain and keep jobs. These services include medical care, mental health treatment and or childcare and afterschool programs. A diverse group of employers from local businesses were also present - Costco, Duane Reade, Rite Aid and Pathmark. Educational institutions were also represented, in particular, the College of New Rochelle and De Hostos Community College, to offer information about certificate and other programs that can help residents get a foot in the door. Most of the residents attending the fair were from Betances, Melrose, Jackson, Mitchel, Mott Haven, Morrisania Air Rights and Patterson Houses. If you live in the South Bronx and are interested in job opportunities, call NYCHA's Bronx Social Services Department at (718) 409-8699 and ask for Administrator Joseph Esheyigba.

Brooklyn: A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 27th at the Red Hook West Community Center on Wolcott Street in Brooklyn. It all started three years ago when the furniture maker IKEA, which is building a store in the area, saw the need for the renovation at the Center, which is funded by the New York City Department for the Aging and run by the Spanish Speaking Elderly Council-RAICES (SSEC-RAICES). IKEA approached the Independence Bank for a financial contribution and the Independence Community Foundation came through with $35,000. IKEA contributed over $100,000 for renovation and furnishings. The Horticultural Society will also be contributing funding and technical assistance to develop a senior flower, vegetable and herb garden. Joining NYCHA Vice-Chairman Earl Andrews, Jr. at the event was Department for the Aging Commissioner Edwin Mendez-Santiago, IKEA's Director of Public Affairs Joseph Roth, Independence Bank President Alan Fishman and Executive Director of SSEC-RAICES Jose R. Ortiz Ortiz.


DFTA Commissioner Edwin Mendez-Santiago

Manhattan: The NYCHA Youth Chorus sang at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on August 23rd at a ceremony for the World Harmony Run, a global relay that seeks to promote international friendship and understanding. As a symbol of harmony, runners carry a flaming torch, passing it from hand to hand between members of thousands of communities, travelling through over 70 nations around the globe. The day before the event, an international team of runners visited the singers at their home base in Taft Houses. The runners visit schools, community groups, running clubs, and local and national government organizations to celebrate the goal of world harmony and recognize people in the community who work for harmony in their own special way. The goal is to strengthen a sense of international brotherhood.

Queens: If things go as planned, City Council Member John Liu will be joining residents of Bland Houses and the surrounding area for classes in Chinese at the development's Community Center. The class is expected to begin this fall and will run for three months. The Council Member is funding the class.

Staten Island: Clove Lakes Park was the site for the Housing Authority's fifth annual Kids' Walk, which took place on a beautiful, sunny August 16th. Approximately 1,600 youth from 36 community centers throughout the City converged on the 198 acre park for a 2.5 mile trek to promote exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. There was an educational puppet show stressing the importance of healthy eating at the end of the walk, an obstacle course, and the ever-popular vegetable relay.