VOL. 45 NO. 4 JULY 2015 INSIDE THIS ISSUE 3 6 12

Training Amazing garden Resident for success transformation Art Show winners

THE PEACEMAKERS NYCHA YOUTH WHO’VE WITNESSED LIFE-ALTERING VIOLENCE FIRSTHAND REACH OUT TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PAIN. Twice a month a group of young people get together for pizza and a movie, but this isn’t just a chill session. These individuals are members of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Peer Leadership Committee – youth under the age of 24 residing in NYCHA developments, some from the 15 developments within the Mayor’s Action Plan for Safety (MAP). They all have personal experience with gun violence, gang violence or the criminal justice system, and they are all interested in learning how to become advocates and activists for peace in their communities. The movie they watch – one they’ve seen many times – is Voices From Within, a short film by Dan Sle- pian, who worked with the staff and inmates of the Sing Sing Correction- al Facility to record inmates speak- ing directly to a camera about their Children from Monroe Houses were excited to meet NBA star Carmelo Anthony at the June 4 ribbon-cutting for a newly renovated basketball court feelings on having taken someone’s courtesy of Anthony’s Courts 4 Kids program. life. The film is wrenching, difficult to watch, and very powerful. The Peer to look forward to on a day-to-day basis. Leaders are trained by educators It’s about the youth, it’s about the kids from the Mayor’s Office of Criminal that are out here today, what they’re go- Justice and their community-based Home Court ing to do afterschool, what they’re going partner, the Maysles Institute, a to have to call their own, and this court documentary and education organi- right here is for the Monroe Houses so zation, to facilitate a discussion with you can be able to call it your own.” individuals who have just viewed the Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were film about their reactions to the film Advantages held on May 21 at Coney Island and (CONTINUED ON PAGE 10) June 4 at Monroe and were attended Carmelo Anthony Foundation Renovates by NYCHA General Manager Michael Kelly, City Councilmembers Mark Treyger Three NYCHA Basketball Courts and Annabel Palma, and NYCHA staff, residents and community members. T’S GOING TO be a summer of free now renovated three NYCHA basketball A highlight of the dedications was the throws, jump shots, and dunks for courts – the first in 2013 at Red Hook pick-up games played on the new courts Ikids at Coney Island Houses 4 & 5 Houses, where NBA basketball star by local youth. (Brooklyn) and James Monroe Houses Carmelo Anthony grew up. And the kids were excited to get on (Bronx) as they take advantage of bas- “The whole idea behind putting courts the new courts: Carey Gardens resident ketball courts recently renovated by the in underprivileged neighborhoods…is Tajheir Marcano, 8, said, “Carmelo Carmelo Anthony Foundation’s (CAF) basically to bring communities together,” Anthony, that was nice of him for doing Courts 4 Kids program. Anthony said at the Monroe Houses this basketball court and he’s a good At Coney Island, CAF painted the ribbon-cutting. “I think by putting this shooter and a good dunker,” and 14- court and added new backboards, and at basketball court here in this community, year-old Coney Island resident Maurice Monroe Houses, CAF repaved, painted, in all the communities that we touch, it’s Hayward said, “When you come here, and installed new backboards. CAF has about giving that community something it’s like you’re playing with Carmelo.” FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA LETTER FROM THE CHAIR All About NYCHA’s SUMMER IN THE CITY!

several NYCHA developments to Resident Board Members fight against crime this summer, making our communities safer for everyone. These young people, all of whom have been personally touched by gun violence or gang violence, want to change the dangerous dynamic that leads to the loss of so many young lives. Please join them on their tour through our developments, talk with them about these life and death issues, and consider the important questions they pose about the responsibilities we each have to ourselves, our Beatrice Byrd Victor Gonzalez Willie Mae Lewis families and our communities. (For more information, see the article on THE FIRST RESIDENT board member istrative matters at ten regularly sched- page 1.) was added to the NYCHA Board of uled board meetings per year. These MAY AND JUNE were busy months Of course, summer is a time Directors in 2011, following the passage meetings are open to the public. for NYCHA. Mayor Bill de Blasio and to have fun too. Thanks to the of State legislation that mandated the NYCHA’s Office of the Secretary I launched NextGeneration NYCHA, generosity of the Carmelo Anthony addition of residents to the Board to handles all resident correspondence our 10-year plan to preserve and Foundation, kids at Coney Island bring the experience, knowledge and and calls to board members at protect public housing for the next and Monroe Houses can work perspective of public housing residents [email protected] generation of New Yorkers. We’ve on their jump shots on newly to NYCHAs’ governing body. In 2013, and 212-306-3454. Board members already begun to make progress on refurbished basketball courts. additional legislative changes increased receive input from residents at the several of the plan’s initiatives. For Carmelo Anthony is not only a the number of board members from scheduled board meetings and the example, thanks to support from three-time Olympic medal-winner three to seven, of which three residents Annual Public Hearing, in addition to Mayor de Blasio and the City Council, and a record-breaking scorer for the would serve as board members. other meetings that they may attend we’ve already begun work on critical Knicks – he’s also a champion of the All board members are appointed such as Resident Advisory Board (RAB) roof repairs to our properties. NYCHA community. to fixed terms by the Mayor, with the meetings, the Citywide Council of With your help, we launched a We know it is summer when exception of the Chair who also serves Presidents (CCOP) meetings, and new recycling program at five NYCHA developments become the as Chief Executive Officer at the plea- Tenant Association meetings. developments in May: Sheepshead/ life of the neighborhood with our sure of the Mayor. The current board The first resident board member to Nostrand Houses, Bronx River, Bronx famous Family Day celebrations, members were initially appointed for be appointed, Victor Gonzalez, resides River Addition, and Boynton Avenue with all the excellent food, fixed terms of one, two or three years. at Wise Towers in Manhattan. Beatrice Rehab. That launch will be followed entertainment, and camaraderie After these initial terms, all appointees Byrd, who resides at Red Hook West by a continuous, larger roll-out to that entails. As always, we’ve got a will serve three-year terms. Houses in Brooklyn, and Willie Mae every NYCHA development by the full calendar this year – the Family Every board member votes on con- Lewis, who resides at St. Nicholas end of 2016. Look out for the iconic Days kicked off last month and tracts, resolutions, policies, motions, Houses in Manhattan, are the other blue and green recycling bins at your about 150 are scheduled in total rules and regulations, as well as admin- two resident board members. development! To learn more about through the end of September. NYCHA’s recycyling initiative, visit Check our website frequently for NYCHA’s website. updated Family Day schedules or In June, GM Kelly accepted the ask your Tenant Association NYCHA BOARD 2015 Exceptional Employer Award on or Property Manager for more behalf of NYCHA’s Resident Training information. Academy (NRTA) from Brooklyn I know how much many of you MEETINGS Workforce Innovations, one of our job love to cook, so we’ve included YCHA’S BOARD MEETINGS, open to the public, take place on training and employment partners. something special for you in this Wednesdays at 10 am in the NYCHA 12th floor conference room at NRTA and its parent organization, issue: a listing of all the farmers’ N250 Broadway. People who wish to speak during the public comment NYCHA’s Office of Resident markets in the city. There’s no time period must pre-register at least 45 minutes before the meeting is scheduled Economic Empowerment and like the summer to eat healthy and to begin and can only comment about items on that meeting’s agenda. Each Sustainability (REES) are celebrating well, and I’ll be looking for some speaker’s time is limited to three minutes. The public comment period con- their fifth anniversary this year – so far delicious dishes to try at Family Days! cludes either when all speakers are finished or after the 30 minutes allotted by we have graduated more than 1,000 law for public comment, whichever comes first. NYCHA residents who’ve learned Here’s to a happy, healthy, safe Copies of the calendar for the upcoming board meeting are available on valuable skills, and more than 88 summer season, NYCHA’s website or can be picked up at the Office of the Corporate Secretary, percent of them have been placed in 250 Broadway, 12th floor after 3 pm on the Monday before the meeting. Copies good-paying jobs. of the dispositions of prior meetings are available on NYCHA’s website or can As you’ll see in this issue, the be picked up from the Office of the Corporate Secretary no earlier than 3 pm on Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Shola Olatoye the Thursday after the board meeting. Any person requiring reasonable accom- is working with young people from Chair and CEO modation in order to participate in the meeting should contact the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 212.306.6088 no later than five business days prior to the meeting. For additional information regarding the calendar of meetings, disposi- tions, dates and times, please call 212.306.6088.

The NYCHA UPCOMING MEETINGS: JOURNAL July 29, 2015 November 18, 2015 September 30, 2015 December 23, 2015 ESTABLISHED 1970 • CIRCULATION 200,000 October 28, 2015 PUBLISHED BY THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS * Note: There will be no board meeting in August. The November and 250 Broadway, New York, NY 10007 • Tel 212.306.3322 • Fax 212.577.1358 December board meetings are scheduled for the second-to-last Wednesday. www.nyc.gov/nycha

2 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA Resident Leader Spotlight: Carolyn Walton, Tenant Advocate

District Chair of the Citywide Council of Presidents, pushed to get the driveway fixed. She called 311 repeat- edly, contacted NYCHA, and worked with her Councilmember Jumaane Williams to get the Department of Glenwood Houses Resident Association President Carolyn Walton (middle) met with NYCHA Transportation (DOT) to repair the Chair & CEO Shola Olatoye and New York City Councilmember Jumaane Williams during a tour GLENWOOD HOUSES RESIDENTS damage. After a walk-through of of the development. have a newly paved driveway at E. 59th Glenwood Houses at the end of March Street and Glenwood Road thanks to with Walton, NYCHA Chair & CEO with development staff and elected of- community improvement spurred by” the tenacity of their Resident Associa- Shola Olatoye, and CM Williams, DOT ficials. Get your elected officials involved Walton’s leadership. tion President Carolyn Walton. staff assessed the damage in early May because they can and will help.” “I know the residents saw me outside The driveway had been severely and began repairs almost immediately. After repairing the driveway, the DOT always taking pictures of the driveway. damaged by weather and vehicular With the driveway repaired, Walton decided to fix other sidewalk areas out- That area is used by many residents, I traffic and was a tripping hazard to says the lesson to other residents is, “If side of the development, with work set know they’re happy,” Walton reports. pedestrians. For the last two years, you see a problem that needs to be fixed to finish by the end of the summer. Chair “A resident called me and said ‘thank Walton, who is also the Brooklyn South you should make it a collaborative effort Olatoye said this was “a fine example of you, thank you so much.’”

Upcoming REES Events NYCHA’s Food Business Pathways Empowering NYCHA Residents program is a FREE program that provides customized training and SINCE 2010, MORE than 1,000 Natasha Neville: Training resources for NYCHA residents and NYCHA residents have trained with Academy Success NYCHA Section 8 voucher hold- NYCHA’s Resident Training Academy Brooklyn NYCHA resident Natasha ers to launch and grow their food (NRTA) to start and build careers in Neville is living her dream, and she business. The program will prepare construction, janitorial services, and thanks the NYCHA Resident Training residents to enter New York City’s pest control. NRTA is a partnership Academy (NRTA), operated by REES, kitchen incubators and to succeed between NYCHA, the Robin Hood for helping her achieve it. On June 10, in growing their food businesses in Foundation, and some of the best Neville began a job as a Caretaker J, the City’s food industry. For more employment trainers in New York finally securing the NYCHA position information on this and other REES City, including Brooklyn Workforce she has wanted for so long. programs, contact the REES Hotline Innovations (BWI), Nontraditional Although Neville had done seasonal at 718.289.8100 or visit Employment for Women, New York work for NYCHA for four years, she opportunitynycha.org. City College of Technology (CUNY), hadn’t been able to gain the full-time the Center for Family Life and St. employment she desired until being FOOD BUSINESS PATHWAYS Nicks Alliance. chosen for and completing the NRTA. INFORMATION SESSION Operated by NYCHA’s Office of Neville is one of 28 recent Resident Economic Empowerment graduates of NRTA’s janitorial track. Brooklyn and Sustainability (REES), the Training for the janitorial track was Tuesday, July 21, 2015, 6-8 pm NYCHA REES OFFICE Academy has helped many residents conducted by Brooklyn Workforce 787 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor achieve their dreams of having not Innovations and prepared Neville (bet. Vanderbilt Ave. & Clermont Ave.) only jobs, but also careers with and her cohort to be caretakers; Brooklyn, NY 11238 opportunities for growth. As it Natasha Neville their duties include maintaining the Bronx celebrates its fifth anniversary this grounds, buildings, and public spaces Thursday, July 23, 2015, 6-8 pm year, NRTA has graduated 1,087 NYCHA General Manager Michael of NYCHA developments. BETANCES COMMUNITY CENTER students, 88 percent of whom have Kelly, accepting the award on behalf During training Neville had to 547 E. 146th Street (bet. St. Ann’s Ave. & Brook Ave.) been placed into jobs as caretakers, of the Authority, cited the program’s come up with short- and long-term Bronx, NY 10455 pest control technicians and unique ability to “prepare residents for goals for her career. Her short-term maintenance aides with NYCHA, as entry-level employment . . . and assist goal to become a full-time NYCHA Manhattan well as in a variety of construction- in developing career plans that will lead employee is complete and she is hard Thursday, August 6, 2015, 6-8 pm SONDRA THOMAS APTS. related positions with NYCHA to long-term employment, promotions at work on her long-term goal: to be 102 W. 91st Street contractors and affordable housing and increased wages.” a successful NYCHA employee and New York, New York 10024 developers. Graduates earned an NRTA is currently recruiting for its move up the ranks. Queens average wage of $15.36 per hour in next construction training program. ”The NRTA training enhanced my Tuesday, August 11, 2015, 6-8 pm full-time positions. For more information, visit past experience and I know I will be a SOUTH JAMAICA CORNERSTONE In June 2015, NYCHA received http://opportunitynycha.org/ great asset to NYCHA because I am COMMUNITY CENTER 109-4 160th Street Brooklyn Workforce Innovation’s workforce-development/nycha- very reliable, a hard worker, determined, (corner of 109th Ave.) Exceptional Employer Award. resident-training-academy/. and most of all I’m a great team player.” Jamaica, New York 11433

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 3 NOTICE New York City Housing Authority Proposed Amendment to the Agency Plan for FY 2015 and the Draft Agency Annual Plan for FY 2016 AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT AGENCY ANNUAL PLAN FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION The public is advised that the Proposed Amendment to the FY 2015 Agency Annual Plan and the Draft Agency Annual Plan for FY 2016 will be available for public inspection at NYCHA’s principal office, located at 250 Broadway, New York, NY, starting June 26, 2015 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please call 212.306.3701 to make an appointment to review the Proposed Amendment to the FY 2015 Agency Annual Plan and the Draft Agency Annual Plan for FY 2016 and supporting documents. The Proposed Amendment to the FY 2015 Agency Annual Plan and the Draft Agency Annual Plan for FY 2016 will also be available at the following locations:

• On NYCHA’s webpage, which is located on http://www.nyc.gov/nycha • At the Management Office ofeach NYCHA public housing development during regular business hours. • At the Community Centers/Borough Offices listed below during the hours of 9:00 am to 7:30 pm:

Manhattanville Community Center Soundview Community Center Staten Island Community Operations 530 West 133rd Street 1674 Seward Avenue Borough Office New York, New York Bronx, New York 126 Lamport Avenue Staten Island, New York Taft Senior Center Queens Community Operations 1365 5th Avenue Borough Office Brownsville Senior Center New York, New York 70-30 Parsons Boulevard 528 Mother Gaston Boulevard Flushing , New York Brooklyn, New York Sedgwick Community Center 1553 University Avenue Bronx, New York

PUBLIC COMMENT The public is invited to attend any of the five scheduled town hall discussions at which the public may raise questions regarding the Proposed Amendment to the FY 2015 Agency Annual Plan and the Draft Annual Plan for FY 2016. These discussions will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the dates and locations shown below unless noted otherwise.

Thursday, July 9, 2015 Thursday, July 16, 2015

Brooklyn Queens St. Francis College Joint Industry Board 180 Remsen Street 158-11 Jewel Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11201 Flushing, New York 11365

Monday, July 20, 2015 Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Monday, July 27, 2015

Staten Island Bronx Manhattan Gerard Carter Community Center Cardinal Hayes High School Borough of Manhattan Community College Stapleton Houses 650 Grand Concourse 199 Chambers Street 230 Broad Street Bronx, NY 10451 New York, NY 10007 Staten Island, NY 10304

The public is also invited to comment on the Proposed Amendment to the FY 2015 Agency Annual Plan and the Draft Annual Agency Plan for FY 2016 at a public hearing to be held on August 11, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at: Pace University – Schimmel Center for the Arts, 3 Spruce Street, New York, New York 10038 Each location listed above is both handicapped accessible and can be reached using public transportation. For transportation information go to http://tripplanner.mta.info or call the MTA/NYC Transit Travel Information Line 718.330.1234.

Written comments regarding the Proposed Amendment to the FY 2015 Agency Annual Plan and the Draft Annual Agency Plan for FY 2016 are encouraged. To be consid- ered, submissions must be received via United States Postal mail or fax no later than August 30, 2015. Faxed submissions will be accepted at 212.306.7905. Comments may be sent to the following address and comments may also be emailed to [email protected].

Public Housing Agency Plan Comments Church Street Station P.O. Box 3422 New York, New York 10008-3422 Bill de Blasio, Mayor Shola Olatoye, Chair and Chief Executive Officer What is RAD? THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE attain financial stability that is out- through RAD. This will enable NYCHA the nation to preserve their precious DEMONSTRATION program, known as lined in NextGeneration NYCHA, the to rehabilitate and preserve this prop- housing stock and fund maintenance RAD, is a U.S. Department of Housing Authority’s 10-year strategic plan to erty and will reduce the Authority’s and repairs. By leveraging the Section and Urban Development (HUD) program ensure the future of public housing in overall capital needs by nearly 8 funding, public housing authorities that enables public housing authorities New York and to create safe, clean, $90 million. A meeting was held by can generate revenue to reinvest to convert a select number of their and connected communities. NYCHA Councilmember Donovan Richards to back into the converted properties. traditional public housing units to a has HUD’s approval to convert ap- answer questions. At the same time, RAD ensures that project-based Section 8 funding stream. proximately 1,400 units at Ocean Bay/ RAD has been used successfully residents’ rights and affordability RAD is one initiative to help NYCHA Bayside Apartments in Far Rockaway by public housing authorities across are protected.

4 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA Stay Safe in the Heat WEATHER FORECASTERS ARE reporting that this summer is expected to be a lot warmer than last year. Everyone needs to take extra Hot Weather Health Tips care in hot weather, even people • Never leave children or pets in cars. who seem healthy, fit and strong, but • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty especially children and seniors. of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine The American Red Cross reports or alcohol. that excessive sun exposure can • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, lead to sunburn, heat cramps, light-colored clothing. Dark colors heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If absorb the sun’s rays and will someone is experiencing cramps in make you feel warmer. the legs or abdomen, get them to a • Slow down, stay indoors and avoid cooler place, have them rest, lightly exercise during the hottest part stretch the affected muscle, and of the day (mid to late afternoon). replenish their fluids with a half a • Postpone outdoor games glass (about 4 ounces) of cool water and activities. every 15 minutes. • Use a buddy system when working VAN DYKE RESIDENTS LOVE Signs of heat exhaustion include in excessive heat. cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, • Take frequent breaks if working WHERE THEY LIVE heavy sweating, headache, nausea, outdoors. ON APRIL 25, Van Dyke Houses resource area with information dizziness, weakness and exhaustion. • Check on family, friends and residents rolled up their sleeves on recycling, gardening, jobs and Move any individual with these neighbors who do not have air to spend the day picking up trash training opportunities, pest control, symptoms to a cooler place, remove conditioning or live alone. as part of the “Love Where You and help for maintenance and repair or loosen tight clothing and spray • Check on animals frequently to Live” Clean-Up and Plant Day. issues. For the youngest residents, the person with water or apply cool, make sure they have cool water. Armed with rakes, brooms, gloves, there were games, art projects, and wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan • Spend time in air conditioned and garbage bags, more than 115 face painting. Clean-Up Day was the person and give him or her small places like schools, libraries and residents, volunteers, and staff organized by NYCHA’s Resident amounts of cool water to drink. If the movie theaters if you don’t have air cleaned different areas of the Engagement and Development person refuses water, vomits or conditioning. Or call 311 to find development and then learned departments, along with resident begins to lose consciousness, the address of the New York City how to plant flower bulbs to add members of NextGeneration call 9-1-1 immediately. Cooling Center nearest you. West nile ad r2 outlines.pdf 1 6/23/15 3:16 PM a touch of beauty. The day wasn’t NYCHA committees. It was co- just about cleaning; it was also sponsored by Healthfirst, Brownsville about community and having fun. Community Justice Center, Medgar Residents enjoyed refreshments, Evers College CUNY, the New danced the Electric and Cha York City Police Department, and Cha Slides, and checked out the Community Solutions.

$149 $60 Annual Membership for NYCHA Residents A fun, affordable option for transportation or fitness! Thousands of bikes available at hundreds of stations. Coming soon to more of Brooklyn & Queens.

Descuento disponible para Sign up residentes de NYCHA today! NYCHA居民可享受折扣

For more information on Citi Bike pricing, locations, and how to get your NYCHA discount:

VISIT OR CALL citibikenyc.com/nycha 1-855-BIKE-311

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 5 Fresh Off the Farm ARM STANDS HAVE sprouted (QCH). The market recently opened for “Whatever they need me to do, I do. I demonstrations and special events. all over the city, offering shop- its fifth season, and Pomonok Houses set up or clean up, help someone buy Residents can learn how to create deli- Fpers the chance to buy local residents can shop produce from Woori something, and this year I’ll hand out cious dishes using produce from the fresh fruit and vegetables directly from Farms of Goshen, New York and Mi flyers and put them in the building, do market, such as fusilli pasta with toma- growers. The markets can be big like Ranchito Farm of Hazlet, New Jersey. the attendance, and call vendors to toes and spinach or butternut squash Union Square’s Greenmarket, which fea- “We’re a small operation, but what make sure they are coming down for the soup. In August the market will host its tures 140 regional farmers, or small like we lack in size we make up for in spirit. week. I like to volunteer to interact and Second Annual Food Fest, where they the Pomonok Community-Run Farmers’ Last season we reached 1,200 people socialize with tenants.” will celebrate eating local and have kid- Market, served by just two farms. No with nearly 5,000 pounds,” said Amy Gerken hopes to see a lot of her friendly events, local business vendors, matter the size, farmers’ markets are Tam-Liao, Community Supported neighbors at the market this season. and raffles. the best way to eat healthy, in-season, Programs Director of the Pomonok She says they should get their produce The market runs on Wednesdays local produce in your community. Center, QCH. at the market because, “even though it beginning now until November 25, Many NYCHA residents have farmers’ QCH relies on a nine-member vol- costs a little more, it doesn’t have all the 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., outside the Pomonok markets within walking distance of their unteer planning team to help run the chemicals and their green vegetables Community Center, 67-09 Kissena developments; some are right outside market; six of the members are Pomo- taste better than at the supermarket.” Boulevard, Queens. The market ac- of the development, such as the Pomo- nok Houses residents. Anita Gerken, Like most farmers’ markets through- cepts cash, Snap/EBT, WIC and Senior nok Community-Run Farmers’ Market, member of the planning team and out the city, Pomonok Community-Run FMNP, WIC Veggies and Fruits, and operated by Queens Community House Pomonok resident for 28 years, said, Farmers’ Market also features food Health Bucks. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 7)

Harvest Home Kings County Abingdon Square Greenmarket NHEMA Farmers’ Market Farmers’ Markets Near NYCHA Developments Hospital Farmers’ Market 12th St & 8th Ave 125th St & Park Ave Fresh fruit and vegetables are just a short walk away from most Clarkson Ave bet E 37th & E 38th Sts Sat, 8am - 2pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Thurs & Fri, 11am - 7pm, EBT Wed, 8am-4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP NYCHA developments. Below is a list of farmers’ markets within a Chelsea’s Down to Earth Project EATS Frederick Douglas Harvest Home Marcy Park Farmers’ Market Houses Farmers’ Market half mile of NYCHA developments throughout the five boroughs. Farmers’ Market 23rd St bet 8th & 9th Aves 100th St bet Amsterdam & Columbus Aves In addition to this list, you can use the NYC Department of Health’s Myrtle & Marcy Aves at Marcy Park Sat, 9am - 5pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, WIC VF Sat, 10am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Thurs, 8am-4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Chenita’s Community Garden Project Harmony People’s Market texting resource: text “SoGood” to 877877 to receive the locations Hattie Carthan After Church 112th St & Madison Ave 122nd St bet 7th & 8th Aves of up to three farmers’ markets near you. Farmers’ Market Sat, 9am-4pm, EBT Thurs, 1pm - 7pm, EBT 49 Van Buren St bet Tompkins & City Hall Greenmarket PS 11 Farm Market BRONX Throop Aves Broadway & Chambers St 21st St bet 8th and 9th Aves Bronx Borough Hall Greenmarket South Bronx Farmers’ Market Sun, 1pm - 6pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Tues & Fri, 8am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Wed, 8am - 10am, EBT Grand Concourse bet 161st & 162nd Sts 138th St bet Alexander and Willis Aves Hattie Carthan Community Columbia University Greenmarket SoHA Square I Farmers’ Market Tues, 8am - 4pm EBT, WIC FMNP Sat, 10am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Farmers’ Market Broadway bet 114th & 116th Sts 264 W 118th St Harvest Home Forest Avenue Taqwa Community Farmers’ Marcy Ave & Clifton Pl Thurs & Sun, 8am - 5pm, EBT, WIC Thurs & Fri, 8am - 5pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, Farmers’ Market (July-Aug only) Market Sat, 9am - 3pm, EBT, WIC FMNP FMNP, WIC VF WIC VF Forest Ave bet Westchester Ave & 156th St 90 W 164th St bet Ogden & Nelson Aves High School for Public Service El Barrio Youth Marqueta SoHA Square II Farmers’ Market Wed, 8am - 4pm, EBT Sat, 8am-4pm, EBT Youth Farmers’ Market 116th St at Park Ave 117th St & St Nicholas Ave Harvest Home Hunts Point Williamsbridge Square 600 Kingston Ave bet Rutland Rd & Sat & Sun, 12pm - 5pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Sat & Sun, 8am - 5pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Farmers’ Market HERBan Farmers’ Market Winthrop St Fort Washington Greenmarket St. Mark’s Church Greenmarket Wed, 2:30pm - 6:30pm, EBT, WIC FMNP E 163rd St & Hunts Point Ave White Plains Rd & E. Gun Hill Rd 168th St & Ft. Washington Ave E 10th St & 2nd Ave Wed, 8am-4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, WIC VF Wed, 9am - 5pm, EBT Isabahlia Farm Stand Tues, 8am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Tues, 8am - 6pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Harvest Home Mt. Eden Rockaway & Sutter Aves Gouverneur Hospital Youthmarket Stuyvesant Town Greenmarket BROOKLYN Fri, 11am - 4pm, EBT Farmers’ Market Madison St bet Clinton & Jefferson Sts 14th St Loop & Ave A Mt. Eden & Morris Aves Albee Square Farmers’ Market Isabahlia Farmers’ Market Thurs, 12pm - 5pm, EBT Sun, 9:30am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Fulton & Bond Sts Tues & Thurs, 8am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Livonia Ave bet Powell & Junius Sts Grassroots Farmers’ Market Tompkins Square Greenmarket Fri, 10am - 4pm, EBT Sat, 8am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Harvest Home Soundview W 145th St bet Edgecombe E 7th St & Ave A Farmers’ Market Brownsville Community Malcolm X Blvd Farmers’ Market & Bradhurst Aves Sun, 9am - 6pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Morrison Ave & Harrod Pl Farmers’ Market Malcolm X Blvd bet Marion Tues & Sat, 9am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, Sat, 8am-4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP 514 Rockaway Ave at Sutter Ave Tucker Square Greenmarket & Chauncey Sts WIC VF 66th St & Columbus Ave Sat, 8:30am - 4:30pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, Harvest Home St. Mary’s Park Sat, 8am - 3pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Thurs & Sat, 8am - 5pm, EBT, WIC FMNP WIC VF Hamilton Heights Green Farmers’ Market Project EATS Marcus Garvey Youthmarket 149th St & St. Ann’s Ave Brownsville Pitkin Avenue Village Farm Market Amsterdam bet 143rd & 144th Sts QUEENS Thurs, 8am-4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Youthmarket 300 Chester St at Dumont Ave Wed, 10:30am - 5:30pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Thomas Boyland St bet Pitkin & Sutter Astoria Greenmarket Harvest Home Sunday Farmers’ Sat, 11am - 3pm, EBT, WIC FMNP 14th St bet 31st Ave & 31st Rd Aves Harvest Home East Harlem Market Red Hook Farmers’ Market Wed, 8am - 3pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Sat, 10:30am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Farmers’ Market 165th St & Grand Concourse 580 Columbia St 104th St & 3rd Ave Sun, 8am - 4pm, EBT Brownsville Rockaway Youthmarket BSCAH Edgemere Farm Market Sat, 8am - 3pm, EBT Thurs, 8am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, Beach Channel Dr & Beach 45th St Rockaway Ave bet Livonia & Dumont Aves Hostos Community College Saratoga Farm Stand WIC VF Wed, 10am - 2pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Fri, 1pm -6pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Greenmarket Saratoga Ave & Fulton St Harvest Home Harlem Hospital 149th St & Grand Concourse Bushwick Farmers’ Market at CK Farm Rockaway Sun, 10am - 2pm, EBT Farmers’ Market 444 Beach 58th St & Beach Channel Dr Tues, 8am-4pm, EBT Make the Road Urban Oasis Farmers’ Market 506 Lenox Ave bet 135th and 137th Sts Sat, 10am - 3pm, EBT Kingsbridge-Riverdale Farmers’ Grove St & Myrtle Ave Clarkson & Troy Aves Fri, 8am - 7pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Fri, 2pm - 7pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Jamaica’s Down to Earth Market Wed, 2pm - 5:30pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Harvest Home Lenox Ave W 231st St & Kingsbridge Ave Bushwick Farmers’ Market on Farmers Market Williamsburg Greenmarket Farmers’ Market 160th St off Jamaica Ave Sun, 9am - 5pm, EBT Broadway Taylor St & Lee Ave Lenox Ave bet 117th & 118th Sts Fri & Sat, 8:30am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, Halsey St & Broadway La Familia Verde Farmers’ Market Thurs, 8am - 2pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Sat, 8am - 7pm, EBT, WIC FMNP WIC VF E Tremont Ave bet LaFontaine Thurs, 2pm - 7pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Harvest Home Metropolitan Joseph Addabbo Family Health & Arthur Aves Carroll Gardens Greenmarket MANHATTAN Farmers’ Market Tues, 8am - 2pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Carroll St bet Court & Smith Sts Center’s Farmers’ Market 57th Street Greenmarket 99th St & 3rd Ave 6200 Beach Channel Dr Sun, 8am - 3pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, WIC VF Learn It, Grow It, Eat It 57th St & 9th Ave Fri, 8am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Sat, 8am - 2pm, WIC FMNP Youthmarket Coney Island Farmers’ Market Wed & Sat, 8am - 5pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Harvest Home West Harlem Pomonok Community-Run 169th St & Boston Rd Surf Ave & W 16th St 79th Street Greenmarket Farmers’ Market Wed, 10am - 3pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Sun, 9am - 3pm, EBT Farmers’ Market Columbus Ave bet 78th & 81st Sts 137th St & Broadway 67-09 Kissena Blvd Lincoln Hospital Greenmarket East New York Farm Stand Sun, 9am - 5pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Tues, 8am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, WIC VF Wed, 9am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, WIC VF 149th St bet Park & Morris Aves New Lots Ave bet Alabama & 92nd Street Greenmarket Lower East Side Youthmarket Tues & Fri, 8am - 3pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, Georgia Aves Rockaway Beach Youthmarket 1st Ave bet 92nd & 93rd Sts Grand Ave bet Pitt St & Abraham Pl Beach Channel Dr & Beach 58th St WIC VF Wed, 3:30pm - 6:30pm, Sun, 9am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Thurs, 11am - 6pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Sat, 9:30am - 3pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Marble Hill Youthmarket East New York Farmers’ Market 97th Street Greenmarket Marcus Garvey Park HERBan Socrates Sculpture Park 225th St bet Broadway & Exterior St Schenck Ave bet New Lots & Livonia Aves 97th St bet Columbus & Amsterdam Aves Farmers’ Market Thurs, 1pm - 6pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Sat, 9am - 3pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Greenmarket Fri, 8am - 2pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, WIC VF 124th St & 5th Ave Vernon Blvd & Broadway Mott Haven Farmers’ Market Fort Greene Park Greenmarket 125th Street FreshConnect Sat, 9am - 5pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Sat, 8am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP 139th St & St. Ann’s Ave Washington Park bet DeKalb & Farmers’ Market Morningside Park’s Down to Earth Tues, 10am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Willoughby Aves W 125th St & 7th Ave Farmers’ Market STATEN ISLAND Project EATS Urbis Farm Market Sat, 8am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP Tues, 10am - 7pm, EBT 110th St & Manhattan Ave Snug Harbor Heritage Farm 1385 E Gun Hill Rd at Knapp St Graham Avenue Farmers’ Market 175th Street Greenmarket Sat, 9am - 5pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, WIC VF Farmer’s Market Thurs, 2:30pm - 6:30pm, EBT Cook St at Graham Ave 175th St bet Wadsworth & St Nicholas Aves Mt. Sinai Hospital Greenmarket 1000 Richmond Terrace Sat, 8am - 5:30pm, EBT, WIC FMNP, Thurs, 8am - 4pm, EBT, WIC FMNP 99th St bet Madison & Park Aves Fri, 12pm - 2pm WIC VF Wed, 8am - 5pm, EBT, WIC FMNP

6 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA Home Sweet Home NE OF THE little things that Ms. Robeck said, “I Shari Robeck takes pleasure am very grateful. It’s Oin is the ability to relax on peaceful, the floor is the couch with her two children, Se- quiet. Everyone here bastian, 17, and Brianna, 14, and watch is very nice; these young guys hold the basketball on television. door for me. I have neighbors who see For Ms. Robeck, this small thing me in the elevator or at the front door means that she and her children finally and ask, ‘Can I help you?’ or ‘What do have a normal life. In September 2014, you need?’ or they say ‘It’s good to after being homeless for five years, see you out of that wheelchair.’” the Robeck family moved into an “There’s always hope, I’m proof of apartment in the Carver Houses. Ms. that,” Ms. Robeck said. “The kids have Robeck receives disability, as well as their own rooms, they didn’t have TV some assistance from her ex-husband, before, these things don’t matter to who furnished the apartment. Prior everyday people, but to us it means a to moving into the development, the sense of normalcy.” Robecks lived in a shelter in Harlem. Ms. Robeck is looking forward to It’s summer farmers’ market season! Head out to your nearest market to pick up a healthy and Ms. Robeck never thought she many more years in the Carver Houses colorful selection of fresh food and vegetables straight from the farmers who grew them. would be homeless, but after losing making new milestones with her chil- her job and home, and struggling dren. And her children, who are both (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6) with numerous health issues, the basketball players, have more short- family became destitute. Due to her term goals in mind, they look forward health issues she couldn’t find work. to spending summer playing ball on the The family lived in various places, basketball court at their development. some of which she would like to forget, including a temporary shelter in Chinatown with bug-infested public showers. In their Harlem shelter, the Farmers’ Market Incentive Programs family was subject to curfews, special visiting hours, and having to sign in ALL NEW YORKERS should have WIC Vegetables and and out whenever they entered or left the opportunity to buy fresh, local Fruits Checks the building. produce from farmers’ markets. WIC Vegetables and Fruits checks Though the family has faced many Below are some programs that are distributed to recipients of the hardships while being homeless, make it easier for people of all Women, Infant and Children (WIC) including having property stolen and income levels to have access to program and may be worth $8, disparaging remarks from paying ten- farmers’ markets. Before you shop $10 or $15 each. These checks may ants in the Harlem building they lived at your neighborhood farmers’ be used at any farmers’ market in, they pushed on. While her children market, ask the manager or the that accepts WIC. There are some maintained their honor roll standings stand operator if they accept your limitations on what you can buy in school, Ms. Robeck never gave payment method. with these checks, but you can up hope in her quest to find a more use them to buy any fresh fruits stable living situation for her family. In

SNAP/EBT and vegetables at participating June 2014, the family was contacted MCGRAIL/COMMUNITY SERVICE SOCIETY MARY PHOTO CREDIT: At farmers’ markets that accept farmers‘ markets. If your purchase about an apartment available for Shari Robeck, formerly homeless, is happy SNAP/EBT, you can use your card exceeds the value of the check them with NYCHA. to be able to welcome visitors to her to buy $1 or $5 tokens to purchase you can pay the difference in cash Of living in the Carver Houses, apartment at Carver Houses. fruit, vegetables, and even baked or with other benefits (SNAP/EBT, goods from participating market FMNP, or Health Bucks). stands. If you have unused tokens you may exchange them for a Health Bucks refund on your EBT card or just As of July, all farmers’ markets keep them for your next visit. in NYC accept Health Bucks. Tokens don’t expire and can be Health Bucks, developed by the used at any NYC farmers’ market NYC Health Department, are that accepts SNAP/EBT. To see if $2 coupons you can use to buy you’re eligible for SNAP/EBT, call fruits and vegetables. At farmers’ 311 or visit foodhelp.nyc. markets that accept SNAP, for every $5 spent using your EBT Farmers’ Market card, you’ll receive a $2 Health Nutrition Program Buck to purchase additional Checks produce at the market or at your Low-income senior citizens and next visit. Be sure to use your recipients of the Women, Infant Health Bucks coupons before they and Children (WIC) program are expire on November 30, 2015. eligible to receive Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks worth $4 each. These checks can be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets from June 1 – November 30. If a market accepts FMNP, be sure to use the full value of the check because no change is given.

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 7 Michael Johnson Honored with Sloan Public Service Award

“generosity of spirit and his role in mak- ing the lives of countless public housing residents better.” (An interesting note: Mr. Arad, formerly employed by NYCHA as an architect, drafted the winning de- sign for the 9/11 memorial, selected by the City from 5,000 entries.) NYCHA Senior Vice President Brian Clarke thanked Mr. Johnson for his “self- An American Red Cross volunteer and Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis (seated, right) less efforts on behalf of residents,” and taught children at South Beach Houses about how to stay safe in emergency situations. welcomed “the recognition Michael brings to the good work that our staff Kids Pack Pillowcases for Safety does day in and day out.” MICHAEL JOHNSON, NYCHA Assis- Mr. Johnson’s colleagues were full N MAY 11, 75 children at using pillowcases. All of the children, tant Property Maintenance Supervisor, is of praise: South Beach Houses in Staten students in an afterschool program one of six recipients of the 2015 Sloan “Having employees like Michael makes OIsland learned that pillow- run by United Activities Unlimited, Awards for Public Service, presented me proud of our team and the job we do cases can be used for more than just received pillowcases to decorate and by the Fund for the City of New York. for residents,” said Manhattan Property their pillows. The American Red Cross take home so that they could share On June 2, he was honored twice: in the Management Director Conrad Vazquez. (ARC) presented “The Pillowcase what they learned with their families. morning by his NYCHA colleagues and “Whatever challenges that come, Project,” an interactive fire safety and Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis Johnson House residents, and in the Michael is there to meet them,” reported disaster preparedness program for (R-East Shore/Brooklyn) partnered with evening by Mayor Bill de Blasio and other Johnson Houses Property Manager Gay kids ages 8-11. The children learned ARC to host the program because she New York dignitaries at a ceremony at Chestnut. “No matter what the situation, how to create family evacuation plans believes every child should know what Cooper Union. Each Sloan Award recipi- he is there with a smile.” and make emergency supply kits to do in the event of a fire. ent receives a $10,000 prize; the former “Michael is available 24/7, he always Staten Island NYCHA resident and 27-year worries about the residents and does employee plans to donate his entire prize them countless favors,” added Kevin What Should Kids Pack Don’t forget to pack to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Cropley, Johnson Houses Property in Their Pillowcase nutritious foods! for cancer, a charity he supports as a vol- Management Supervisor. Emergency Kits? • No salty snacks: These make unteer and contributor. “I was surprised how polite he is – that • Bottled water you thirsty and increase your “This is a great honor and I wish to really boosts morale,” Maintenance Work- • Flashlight need to drink water. thank the Fund for the City of New York, er Kmal Moeen said. “He always follows • Extra batteries • Add protein: Nuts, protein bars, NYCHA, and the residents at Johnson through with anything that I need or can’t • First aid kit and nut butter help keep you full Houses,” Mr. Johnson said. “I’m here do, so residents aren’t left waiting.” • Toiletries: bar of soap, toothpaste longer. These foods are usually early in the morning and the residents “We are proud of Michael Johnson,” and toothbrush easy to stash in your kit. can all reach me on my cell phone. I said 30-year Tenant Association President • Non-perishable foods • Add high-energy foods: want to keep on serving the residents at Ethel Velez. “He is a wonderful APMS • Activity book Nuts, dried meat, whole grains, Johnson Houses.” and there is never a moment he won’t • Crayons and canned beans, fruits, or Michael Arad, a member of the Sloan help you when you ask. When he tells you • Small game vegetables to keep energy Award selection committee, presented something, you know it will get done, and • Emergency contact information levels up. the award to Mr. Johnson, citing his always with a smile.” Honoring America’s Commitment to Seniors YCHA IS PROUD to be home Although there wasn’t a birthday cake home in isolation, just looking at their so I come here mostly every day. That to the nation’s first, and oldest, big enough to accommodate all those four walls. So we offer seniors a home keeps me feeling better – I can be with Nsenior center. And on June 19, candles, the mood was certainly festive, away from home. Participants have told other people and talk with them. I call the William Hodson Senior Center at the and appreciative, for the approximately me that our classes are as much about the people here my family,” said Theola Bronx’s Butler Houses played host to a 50 seniors who attended the event. therapy as they are about learning. Shepard. “I’m 97 years old and I’ve been very notable celebration. Representatives “Social security is good,” said Velma We’ve had people lose weight by doing coming here for about 25 years,” said from various government agencies and Sandiford. “It helps me live and maintain Zumba and people who have improved Leroy Thomas Roof. “This center means elected officials’ offices gathered there to some of the standards I had while I was their eating habits. After learning how to a lot for the neighborhood. When you celebrate the milestone birthdays of some working. It helps me keep my apartment use the internet, participants pay their come, you can see old friends and have very important federal programs that have and get food.” bills, research their health, or look for a good time. I have a lot of friends here made life better for countless seniors Since 1943, the Hodson Senior Center lost family members online.” – I’m friends with everybody. And the across America. has offered an enriching array of activi- “I live next door and I’m disabled, food is good!” This year, the Social Security system, ties, programs, and services. That legacy which keeps millions of seniors out of continues today with a congregate meal poverty, turns 80. The Older Americans program that serves breakfast and lunch, Act, the first federal initiative to provide support and discussion groups, weekly comprehensive services to seniors, turns visits from a doctor, walking groups and 50. Medicare and Medicaid, which pro- a Zumba dance fitness program, art vide health coverage to seniors and those sessions, and classes on photography, in need, are also 50. The Americans with computers, and cell phones. According Disabilities Act, a sweeping civil rights law to Center Director Dr. Rosie Mills, “The that empowers people with disabilities, is idea that got this center started was 25. The Affordable Care Act, which over- that older people should have a place hauled the country’s healthcare system to come to – to congregate, socialize, and is also known as ObamaCare, is 5. and get engaged – instead of staying Fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, cousins gather at Hodson to celebrate Father’s Day.

8 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED ALWAYS BE PREPARED

NOTIFY NYC Register online for free at https://a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/Enrollment. • Emergency Alerts • Unscheduled Parking Rules • Significant Event Notifications Suspensions • Public Health Notifications • Sign Language Videos • Public School Closing/ Delay Advisories 311 • Reach 311 by text at 311-692. • Call 311 or (212) NEW-YORK, 212.639.9675, from outside New York City. • Connect with 311 via Video Relay Service (VRS) at (212) NEW-YORK, 212.639.9675. • Contact 311 via TTY or Text Telephone at 212.504.4115. • Available in 170 languages via phone. • Available online at www1.nyc.gov/311 in over 50 languages, Weather Radio Official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard For Individuals with Functional information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In New York, tune to KWO35 on 162.550 MHz. or Access Needs • Forecasts of rain and snow, temperatures, clouds, and winds. Create support teams for home, work, and anywhere else you spend time. • Warnings for severe thunderstorms, winds, tornadoes, floods, and Be sure people are aware of your specific needs in case of an emergency. heavy snow. Allow for additional time if you need to evacuate, especially if the • Special information statements for significant or unusual weather. following applies: • Broadcast schedule: www.erh.noaa.gov/okx/nwr/rockefeller.html • Motorized wheelchairs weigh over 100 pounds and are often bigger than manual wheelchairs. Ensure you have plenty of time to use elevators when planning your evacuation – they are likely to be turned off early for resident and staff safety. What You Need to Know About • Service animals are always allowed in emergency shelters. If you are going to a shelter, be sure to bring the necessary supplies for the animal’s Evacuations care, including food, leashes, a carrier, and medication. If City officials issue evacuations instructions, you should be prepared to • Homebound residents may be unable to evacuate by themselves and leave your home – it is not safe to stay. Find out now which evacuation should contact 311 for assistance. zone your home, office, or other frequently visited places are by using the map located at http://maps.nyc.gov/hurricane. Access-A-Ride • An evacuation recommendation encourages certain residents to take Access-A-Ride (AAR) is a paratransit service or “demand-response” service steps to evacuate voluntarily. A recommendation might be issued to cover for eligible individuals with disabilities who are unable to use accessible residents of specific zones, communities or building types. An evacuation mass transit. You must apply in advance to use the service. The Access-A- recommendation could also be issued for the benefit of people with Ride application is available on-line at http://web.mta.info/nyct/paratran/ mobility challenges who need extra time to evacuate. access_application.pdf. To contact Access-A-Ride (AAR) directly: • An evacuation order requires residents of specific zones or communities • Call 877.337.2017 toll-free from area codes 212, 718, 347, 516, 631, to leave their homes for the protection of their health and welfare in the 646, 914, and 845. event of an approaching storm. • From other area codes, dial 718.393.4999. Where Should You Go? • Customers who are deaf/hard of hearing can use their preferred relay • Stay with family or friends outside the impacted evacuation zone. service or the free 711 service relay. • Go to an evacuation center; from there you will be taken to a shelter staffed • Visit http://web.mta.info/nyct/paratran/guide.htm#directory for more by City workers who are trained to keep things safe and running smoothly. information on Access-A-Ride. • Shelter sites change based on the emergency so stay tuned to the local • Accessibility Tip: Wheelchair-Accessible Yellow Taxis news, access NYC.gov, call 311 (TTY: 212.504.4115), or contact 311 Wheelchair-accessible yellow taxis are available for select Access-A-Ride online for the latest information. trips. To find out if you can use taxis for your Access-A-Ride trips, please call the Subscription Unit’s Yellow Taxi Hotline at 718.393.4420. For the What About Pets? • Pets in carriers are allowed on MTA subways, buses, and trains. When an standard metered fare, you can use wheelchair-accessible yellow taxis for evacuation order is declared, pets too large for carriers will also be allowed, trips originating in Manhattan and ending anywhere in the five boroughs. provided those animals are muzzled and controlled on a sturdy leash no There are five ways to request a NYC wheelchair-accessible taxi: longer than four feet. The City will announce when this policy is in effect. • Call 311 • Pets are allowed at all City evacuation centers. Please bring your own pet • Call the dispatch center directly: 646.599.9999 supplies, including food, leashes, a carrier, and medication. Only legal pets • Text a request to: 646.400.0789 will be allowed. • Use the mobile app “Wheels on Wheels” (WOW), • All City evacuation centers are reachable via public transportation. Use available free through iTunes or Google Play the MTA’s online tool to plan your trip here: http://tripplanner.mta.info. • Order online at www.nycaccessibledispatch.org

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 9 THE PEACEMAKERS

Eric Cumberbatch, program director, started what would become the MOCJ Peer Leadership Every two weeks the Peer Leaders meet with Eric Cumberbatch and program coordinator Jessica program while working at NYCHA. NYCHA Chaperones Kiko Charles and Danny Barber are Mofield to talk through issues that may come up during this summer’s tour of MAP communities seated at the table at left. and strategies the Peer Leaders can use to manage them.

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1) as the first step in creating a dialogue that chaperones since the beginning. Justin through a lesson plan, review the previous has held a handful of well-attended can shift the viewer’s perspective from a Martinez, who lives in Melrose Houses, week’s lesson, and discuss targeted events to date, including screenings of casual attitude toward violence to a fo- and Katora Jones, from Mariner’s citywide anti-violence event planning the filmTriggering Wounds at Jackson cused intention to actively support peace. Harbor, are two of the original peers. strategies. In addition, the Mayor’s Office Houses in the Bronx during a spate Eric Cumberbatch, program Both 20 years old, they feel the program of Criminal Justice and the Maysles of shootings in 2013 and at Hunter director, and Jessica Mofield, program has transformed their lives. Institute staff teach the participants College for an audience of youth in coordinator, work on anti-violence “It can be frustrating to try and several components of advocacy, public detention. This summer the program initiatives at the Mayor’s Office of communicate what gun violence can speaking, community organizing and will officially launch its first extended Criminal Justice and manage the Peer do to you and your family and your anti-violence project planning. tour of events at the 15 NYCHA Leadership program. community but it’s gotten so much “The goal of the Peer Leadership developments that account for nearly “We’re committed to empowering easier for me to talk about what Committee is to be able to provide 20 percent of all violent crime in public young people through the Peer happened to me, to get comfortable our young people with a platform housing in NYC (see schedule for Leadership Committee to build healthy, talking about gun violence with other to activate, refine, and develop their screening details). vibrant, and peaceful communities. people my age,” Justin explains. “I leadership potential,” says Jessica. Interested in becoming a member of There is no one better to reach out know how to facilitate discussions when “They are trained to become advocates the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice to troubled communities and talk people challenge me or challenge what who bring messages of peace into the Peer Leadership Committee? Email about change than people who other people say.” community to prevent and Jessica at [email protected] have experienced the worst of it,” “I have really grown as a person reduce youth violence.” for more information. Cumberbatch explains. “All these kids here. This group built me up, built my The Peer Leadership Committee basically landed here with us in this confidence,” Katora adds. “They are program because they have something my family. I do have my own family, of to teach us. They are here to be leaders, course, and they are important to me, Anti-Violence Resources they are teaching others what they but these people are my family too.” • To view Voices From Within, visit https://vimeo.com/99736358. already know, and they are continuing To join the program, each Peer had • You can watch the full-length 2011 film,The Interrupters, about the to teach and learn from each other.” to contact Eric or Jessica and write an Cure Violence program at The program began about three essay explaining his or her reasons for http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/interrupters/. years ago when Eric was on staff at wanting to opt in. Currently the Peer • If you are interested in learning more about what’s going on with the NYCHA and moved with him when he Leadership program runs throughout Cure Violence program nationally, check out the program’s blog at joined the Mayor’s Office of Criminal the year, with biweekly meetings lasting http://cureviolence.org/connect/blog/. Justice. Daniel Barber, TA President at about two hours, plus the summer tour Jackson Houses, and Brenda “Kiko” of film screenings and discussions and Cure Violence Programs in New York City Charles, TA President at Mariner’s other events as scheduled. During the Houses, have been the program biweekly meetings participants work Borough Neighborhood Program Phone Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Bronx Morrisania 646.448.9131 The MOCJ Peer Leadership Committee Summer 2015 Tour Morrisania South Bronx, Mott Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Bronx 646.448.9131 Every MOCJ event will be held from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Cornerstone DYCD Haven South Bronx Center at each development. Each event will include screenings of the short films Bronx Rises Against Gun Bronx University Heights 718.716.1150 Voices From Within, Guns Change Lives, and Triggering Wounds, and a facilitated (B.R.A.G.) Violence Program discussion with the MOCJ Peer Leaders. Additional dates and locations will be posted on NYCHA’s website and Facebook page. Bronx East Concourse Release the Grip 718.402.6872 Brooklyn East New York A Man Up! A 718.498.2320 Date Borough Development Brooklyn East New York B Man Up! B 718.498.2320 Thursday, July 09, 2015 Brooklyn Boulevard Bedford Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Brooklyn 718.773.6886 Thursday, July 16, 2015 Brooklyn Tompkins Stuyvesant Bed-Stuy Save Our Streets (S.O.S.) Tuesday, July 21, 2015 Brooklyn Bushwick Brooklyn Crown Heights 718.773.6886 Crown Heights Thursday, July 23, 2015 Manhattan Polo Grounds Brooklyn Brownsville Violence Out - Brownsville 347.782.2279 Tuesday, August 04, 2015 Manhattan Wagner Gangstas Making Astronomical Tuesday, August 11, 2015 Brooklyn Red Hook Brooklyn East Flatbush Community Changes, Inc. 718.772.7429 Thursday, August 13, 2015 Brooklyn Van Dyke (G-M.A.C.C.) Tuesday, August 18, 2015 Bronx Butler Queens South Jamaica Life Camp 718.848.3900 Thursday, August 20, 2015 Bronx Ingersoll Queens Far Rockaway Rock Safe Streets 718.751.6150 Tuesday, August 25, 2015 Staten Island Stapleton Staten Island Staten Island 49 Strong Saving Lives 718.273.8411

10 FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA Extreme Makeover: NYCHA Garden Edition ESIDENT GARDENERS AT South Jamaica Houses contacted RNew York Restoration Project (NYRP) for help expanding a small herb garden into a large community garden. A fter A non-profit started by Bette Midler, NYRP helps under-funded communities turn open spaces into gardens by providing tools and materials, such as soil, compost, and flowers; volunteers and expertise in construction, horticulture, forestry; and environmental education to help create or expand community gardens. On May 14, NYRP staff and volunteers, Befor e ANNA YATSKEVICH along with South Jamaica Houses resi- This lot at South Jamaica Houses, which sits next to an LIRR track, was Welcome to the new South Jamaica Community Farm, featuring 12 dents, NYCHA Gardening & Sustainability unused for decades. To transform this space into a garden, volunteers raised planting beds that are home to a delicious array of vegetables, staff, and Green City Force members, got had to pull weeds, trim overgrowth, and bag trash. including celery, collard greens, carrots, tomatoes, and more, all planted to work. One day of pulling weeds and by resident gardeners. hacking away at overgrowth, picking up and already appreciate public spaces,” and bagging trash, and building beds and said Amanda Brown, NYRP Director of them funded by the New York State En- nutritious fruits and vegetables, and time filling them with soil transformed a vacant Community Engagement Resident. “This is ergy Research and Development Author- to socialize with their neighbors. In the lot into the garden oasis NYCHA residents an incentive program to gardeners; these ity and to be planted in the South Bronx. fall, NYRP plans to partner with NYCHA had imagined in their dreams. are people who put a lot of effort into the Residents at South Jamaica are thank- residents on another garden, helping the “I am so very proud of the new farm,” project, and what NYRP does is welcomed ful to NYRP for their support and look Authority build more connected commu- said South Jamaica resident gardener and invited because the gardens we forward to many years of beautiful flowers, nities through gardening. Marian Dolphus. “All the residents came create are community-led and initiated.” out and worked really hard and it’s com- South Jamaica Community Farm joins ing along nicely. The farm is going to NYCHA’s rich tradition of gardening, with; Resources for NYCHA Gardeners be so beautiful once everything grows.” more than 700 individual and community Dolphus, who is 84, credits gardening with gardens on NYCHA developments that NYCHA Garden and advantage of GrowNYC’s Annual keeping her in good health; she has been are cared for by 3,500 resident garden- Greening Program Spring Plant Sale to get plants, herbs, a resident gardener since 1975. Since ers. This is the fourth NYCHA garden Learn how to become a NYCHA and vegetables at wholesale prices. helping build the garden, Dolphus has NYRP has partnered with, in the past they gardener and start a garden at grownyc.org planted basil, celery, collard greens, lima helped gardeners at Marcy, Amsterdam, your development. beans, string beans, sweet potatoes, Swiss and Ingersoll Houses. greennycha.org/resources/gardening/ The Horticultural Society of NYC chard, and tomatoes. “I can’t wait for my In addition to gardens, NYRP helps Offers lectures and workshops on collard greens. Everyone keeps asking beautify NYCHA by planting trees on Battery Urban Farm horticulture, landscape design, urban where’s the collard greens?” NYCHA property. Last year, they planted Learn about sustainable farming gardening, and environmental “Resident requests are made by people 11,800 trees at NYCHA developments and techniques at this educational farm concerns. www.thehort.org/ who are active in the gardening process this year will plant about 650 trees, 550 of in lower Manhattan. www.thebattery.org/projects/ Just Foods battery-urban-farm/ Offers workshops led by gardeners ANNA YATSKEVICH and farmers to NYC community Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) gardeners on various topics and trains GreenBridge them to spread knowledge about Learn about urban greening and con- growing, selling, and providing food servation through the BBG’s community in their neighborhoods. environmental horticulture program, which works with Brooklyn block asso- New York Restoration Project ciations and community gardeners. Helps transform public spaces by www.bbg.org/greenbridge building or expanding gardens through its Gardens in the City Bronx Green-Up at New York program. Will lend tools and materials, Botanical Garden volunteers, and advice on creating Bronx residents who are community community gardens in under- gardeners, urban farmers, or members resourced neighborhoods in NYC. CALLING ALL NYCHA GARDENERS! of community organizations can www.nyrp.org/green-spaces/ receive horticulture education, transform-your-green-space NYCHA’S GARDEN AND kind of garden is best for you, basic training, and technical assistance. GREENING OFFICE is looking for urban farming skills, how to integrate www.nybg.org/green_up/ Snug Harbor Cultural Center and 12 NYCHA residents (who are farming with community outreach Botanical Garden registered with the NYCHA programs, and how to sustain and Green Guerillas Through its Heritage Farm and NYC Garden and Greening Program) to support your garden. Following the Helps community gardeners cultivate Compost Project, Snug Harbor offers participate in the Garden Leaders training, BUF staff will provide sup- healthy community gardens through classes and workshops on basic Training pilot program with the port and mentorship to Garden Lead- plant, soil, and lumber donations; farming and composting techniques. Battery Urban Farm (BUF) this fall! ers through the end of the summer. educational programs on community snug-harbor.org/ BUF is an educational farm where The six-week training will be organizing activities, fundraising, New Yorkers of all ages can learn held in November and December and youth engagement programs. Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) about farming. The Garden Leaders at The Battery Conservancy office www.greenguerillas.org/ QBG Farm strives to teach New Yorkers Training begins with a six-week Farm at 1 Whitehall Street in Manhattan about urban farming, composting, Education Intensive that will teach and will include field trips and guest GrowNYC food systems, food justice and you everything you need to know speakers. Best of all, the program is Through Grow Truck, community environmental stewardship; all central to build a beautiful and thriving free! For more information, contact gardeners in all five boroughs may tenets of QBG’s sustainability and community garden, including how to the NYCHA Garden Program team receive plant donations and gardening healthy living programs. plan and lay out your garden, what at 212.306.3511. advice and borrow tools. Also, take www.queensbotanical.org/

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 11 NYCHA Resident Art Show 2015

Angel, Darryl Sisco, Bronx, Citywide, Monterey, Twin Parks Landscape, Hsia Huf, Citywide, Pomonok, Queens Grandma’s Kitchen, Kulwant Bains, Citywide, Pomonok, Queens

Church Between Flowers, Jorge Luiz Cruz, Bronx, Bronx River Houses, Citywide In the Fields, Virginia Cheng, Citywide, Pomonok, Queens Bouquet of Flowers, Carmen Villarini, Citywide, Manhattan

Purple Mountains, Enid Hunter Bronx, Citywide, James Monroe

On the Beach, Yuan Qing Chang, Citywide, Pomonok, Queens Dragonfly, Oscar Escobar, Citywide, Harbor Terrace, Staten Island

Love Triangle, Roger Raguet, Lemons, Judy Lin, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, Group 5, Bronx, Citywide, James Monroe Citywide, Pomonok, Queens Bronx, Bronx River Houses, Citywide

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.NYC.GOV/NYCHA 12