Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2017
CONTACT: media@nycha.nyc.gov

HUD AND NYCHA PARTNER TO CONNECT DADS TO THEIR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND RESOURCES AHEAD OF FATHER’S DAY

Events across New York City offer fathers and grandfathers free health services, entertainment, free food and more

New partnership with LaGuardia Community College connects dads to jobs and higher education.

NEW YORK––This Father’s Day, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is joining the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to celebrate the Authority’s support of fatherhood and families through HUD’s Father’s Day Initiative. The national program was inspired by NYCHA’s Father’s Day program in 2010 that connects fathers with their children and resources in the community. NYCHA, the largest public housing authority in the United States, regularly creates innovative programing to support the 400,000 New Yorkers who live in public housing, serving as a model for the rest of the country.

NYCHA recently partnered with LaGuardia Community College for the CUNY Fatherhood Academy. The program helps young fathers pass their high school equivalency test, prepare for college and learn effective parenting skills. NYCHA’s office of Resident Economic Empowerment and Sustainability (REES) is recruiting young fathers who live in public housing for the program. It is available to fathers between the ages of 18 and 30. Any public housing residents who are interested in the CUNY Fatherhood Academy can visit OpportunityNYCHA.org and register to attend a REES information session.

Throughout the month of June, hundreds of Public Housing Authorities and apartment developments are hosting events that support fathers living in HUD-assisted housing by connecting them with resources that expand economic opportunity and engagement with their children. NYCHA will host Senior Center Father’s Day events today, June 15th and June 16th in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx to celebrate the impact fathers and grandfathers have on children’s lives. There will be health screenings, food, music, arts and entertainment at four NYCHA senior centers.

“NYCHA’s innovative Father’s Day programming has been replicated across the country thanks to HUD’s efforts” said Mirza Orriols, HUD Deputy Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “These events help to build stronger, healthier, more self-sufficient families.”

“Supporting families with children who call NYCHA home by connecting them to community services and economic opportunities is crucial to creating safe, clean and connected communities,” said Shola Olatoye, Chair and CEO of NYCHA. “We’re proud to lead the nation by example as we work to improve our residents’ quality of life and preserve public housing for every family.”

This year, HUD will raise awareness about the vital role fathers play in promoting children’s physical and emotional wellbeing through the theme of “Building Healthy Families.” Participating communities are encouraged to organize events which advance a wide range of issues relating to family health, including physical fitness, balanced nutrition, and mental health services. They are also encouraged to coordinate with federal agencies, including the Departments of Labor, Justice, and Health and Human Services, local health departments, and groups such as the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA.

This is the seventh year of HUD’s National Father’s Day Initiative, which strives to connect fathers with their children and increase employment opportunities for fathers in HUD-assisted housing. Last year, PHAs and Multifamily owners hosted more than 840 events around the country.

To find out more information about HUD’s National Father’s Day Initiative, or to sign-up your community and take part, please visit www.hud.gov/fathersday.

Media interested in attending the Father’s Day events below should RSVP to media@nycha.nyc.gov.

Bronx
Sotomayor’s Community Center
1000 Rosedale Avenue
Thursday, June 15, 2017
11:00am-1:00pm

Highbridge Gardens Community Center
1155 University Avenue
Friday, June 16, 2017
12:00pm-2:00pm

Brooklyn
Brownsville Senior Center
528 Mother Gaston Boulevard
Thursday, June 15, 2017
11:30am to 3:00pm

Manhattan
Johnson Community Center
1833 Lexington Avenue
Thursday, June 15, 2017
10:00am-1:00pm

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About the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
For over 50 years, HUD's mission has been to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all Americans. In New York, HUD funding provides rental assistance for over 600,000 households, homeless services for more than 70,000 individuals statewide, single-family mortgage insurance for nearly 300,000 New Yorkers, homeownership counseling at more than 150 local community-based organizations, and more than $7 billion in disaster recovery funding to the State in the wake of Hurricanes Irene and Sandy. HUD also enforces the Fair Housing Act in partnership with 13 state and local agencies across New York. More information about HUD and its programs is available at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov. You can also connect with HUD on social media, follow Secretary Carson on Twitter or Facebook,  and sign up for news alerts on HUD's Email List. 

About NYCHA
NYCHA’s mission is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. More than 400,000 New Yorkers reside in NYCHA’s 326 public housing developments around the five boroughs, and another 235,000 receive subsidized rental assistance in private homes through the NYCHA-administered Section 8 Leased Housing Program. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/nycha and for regular updates on NYCHA news and services, connect with us via www.facebook.com/NYCHA and www.twitter.com/NYCHA.