Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
Also in attendance were Deputy Mayor Fran Reiter, Kofi Asare, a high school student representing the Basketball Neighborhood Project, along with board members and sponsors from Neighborhood Week and the Citizens Committee for New York City.
"Society's biggest problems will ultimately be solved by society's smallest units," the Mayor said. "It is from the communities, the neighborhoods, the block associations, the churches, the schools, the families and from within each individual that the changes that will build a better society will come. This is something that the Citizens Committee of New York City has understood since its founding in 1975."
The Mayor explained, "This week through neighborhood groups, block associations, non-profit organizations and agencies, Neighborhood Week will draw on the talent, commitment and hard work of more than 68,000 New Yorkers. New Yorkers who care about their city and care about their communities, are volunteering to roll up their sleeves and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods."
Neighborhood Week mobilizes neighborhood groups, block associations, non-profit organizations and City agencies to attack some of the City's toughest quality of life problems. This week, over 68,000 New Yorkers are expected to take part in this city-wide effort, making Neighborhood Week 1996 the largest self-help effort and community service activity in New York history.
The Citizen's Committee for New York City, which works in conjunction with the Mayor's office, was founded in 1975, and has been the only citywide non-profit organization supporting New Yorkers who volunteer to raise the quality of neighborhood life. The Committee provides small grant, practical training and "how-to" publications, along with hands-on assistance to more than 11,000 block, neighborhood, youth and other neighborhood volunteer groups each year.