Housing Journal 11.02 2
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Vol. 32, No. 11 First Class U.S. Postage Paid — Permit No. 4119, New York, N.Y. 10007 November 2002 Meet The New Leader Of The NYCHA’S Sixth Annual Domestic NYCHA Symphony Orchestra AMNESTY ell, he’s not really new. Violence Conference In fact, W. Marshall PROGRAM Holding Offenders Accountable WSealy has now been the Executive Director of The New UPDATE York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Symphony Orchestra ew York City Housing for nearly a year. But for those of Authority (NYCHA) resi- us who have become used to see- Ndents who have not accu- ing Janet Wolfe in that role since rately reported their income the time she created the Orchestra and/or assets had a unique oppor- more than 30 years ago, Mr. Sealy tunity to “come clean” over a is certainly new. W. Marshall Sealy period of five months, beginning The NYCHA Symphony Or- NYCHA residents with a few on September 1, 2001, and ending chestra was one of the first or- professionals “ringers” brought on January 31, 2002, through chestras in the United States with in. Now there are only one or two NYCHA’s Rental Assistance the mission of achieving racial as actual residents who play in the Amnesty Program. well as musical diversity in classi- Orchestra but all residents can The Amnesty Program allows cal music. Over the years, the enjoy its music. current and former conventional Orchestra has offered extensive Mr. Sealy, a New York City public housing residents (those who live in NYCHA develop- performance opportunities to native, is well qualified for his PLAYS FOR LIVING, an acting troupe with a social conscience, pre- ments) and Section 8 Leased classically trained musicians of role, with a varied background sented “Apartment 3G” at the Domestic Violence Conference. Here ac- Housing residents to report previ- color. Initially the musicians were tor Robert Baumgardner takes actor Clark Jackson away in handcuffs. (Continued on page 8) ously unreported income and/or Jackson’s character, James, has just stabbed his wife. assets to NYCHA without fear of criminal prosecution or termina- By Eileen Elliott BRONX SOUTH COP INSTALLATION tion of tenancy/subsidy. Based on he New York City Housing Authority/Safe Horizon Sixth Annu- the newly submitted information, al Domestic Violence Conference held on October 29 at the New NYCHA will figure out what the TYork Academy of Medicine in Upper Manhattan made one point correct rent or subsidy should stunningly clear. That is that the not-so-long-ago days when police have been and will allow those would respond to a domestic violence call by taking the batterer for a who qualify to pay that amount walk around the block — to cool down — are over for good. We live in without interest or legal fees. a new era where the courts, the police, social service agencies, and Once all of the past due money is even, perhaps your neighbors, are all working together to make sure paid back to NYCHA, Amnesty is that the offender is held accountable. As NYCHA Chairman Tino granted. Hernandez said in his opening remarks on the topic of this year’s The Housing Authority re- conference, “Holding Offenders Accountable,” “There have to be con- ceived a total of 5,824 applica- sequences for people who abuse people.” tions from residents seeking Amnesty. Of these, 3,010 appli- Over 350 staff from NYCHA, “The purpose of this event is cations were from conventional Safe Horizon, the NYPD, and a for you to network with one an- public housing residents and variety of community-based orga- other, to share your resources, and 2,814 applications were from Sec- nizations participated in the day- to provide a forum for discus- tion 8 Leased Housing subsidy long event that featured a keynote sion,” said NYCHA’s Department recipients. Though most applica- address, a dramatic presentation, for Social Services Director Nora tions are still under review, based a panel discussion and work- Reissig-Lazzaro, who served as The Bronx South Council Of Presidents (COP) held its Executive shops. moderator. Board Installation Ceremony at the Classic Center at Melrose Houses on those cases that have been re- (Continued on page 7) on East 156th Street in the Bronx on October 21. Joanne Smitherman solved, NYCHA stands to recover (above), of Highbridge Houses, will continue as District Chair; Gary over $1 million. This includes Coleman of Butler Houses will continue as Vice-Chair; Linda Ballou of over $700,000 from conventional Millbrook Houses will continue as Recording Secretary; Gloria Tull of public housing residents and over Inside: Claremont Pkwy is the new Corresponding Secretary; Elsie Deans of $280,000 from Section 8 Leased 100 Teller Avenue will continue as Financial Secretary; Lutrell Sim- Housing subsidy residents. • It’s Time To Get Your Flu Shot . page 2 To date, of the 3,010 applica- mons of College Avenue Rehabs is the new Treasurer; and Cornelius • Celebrating The Holidays . page 3 Foster of Franklin Avenue will continue as Sergeant at Arms. Each of tions received from conventional nine districts in the City has a COP, which is made up of all of the Res- public housing residents, a total • More Dreamers At Melrose . page 4 ident Association leaders in that district. The Chair for each COP dis- of 1,496 applications have been trict is a member of the Citywide COP, where they serve as the voice of resolved. No further action was • ‘Baby Think It Over’ at Glenwood . page 7 the residents they represent. Elections are held every three years. (Continued on page 3) Happy Thanksgiving Page 2 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL November 2002 Message From The Mayor NYCHA Seniors Make Almost 1,000 Beds Elderly and At-Risk New Yorkers Should For Orphaned Cats And Dogs At CACC Get Flu and Pneumonia Vaccinations By Eileen Elliott nlike many of the cats ith the flu season who peered out of their approaching, I urge Ucages stacked three high Wall New Yorkers over in the showroom at the Center for the age of 50 and those with Animal Care and Control (CACC) underlying medical conditions Brooklyn Shelter on October 22, to get vaccinated against the flu Mittens didn’t seem to regard the as soon as possible. While most Cage Comforter Recognition people who get the flu are only Awards Ceremony as a time sick for a few days, you may be to play. Instead, this tiny black surprised to learn that the flu is kitten with white paws sat at the one of the leading causes of very back of her clean but stark death in New York City. steel cage while a smattering of According to the U.S. Cen- New York City Housing Authority ters for Disease Control and (NYCHA) seniors accepted awards Prevention, last year more than on behalf of their community 21,300 Americans died from the flu. So, if you are over the age of centers. 50, or have an underlying medical condition, please take the time to The Cage Comforter program make an appointment with your doctor and get a flu shot. For those is a collaboration between the of you without health insurance or a doctor, the City is making the CACC, which is a not-for-profit NYCHA seniors display the Recognition Certificates for their com- flu vaccine available through clinics and Senior Centers citywide. organization that runs the City’s munity centers at the CACC. (Inset) Mittens steps onto her new bed. Studies have shown that communities of color have lower rates animal shelters, and NYCHA. of influenza vaccination compared to the citywide average. In 2001, Over 150 seniors from 28 com- 63% of persons 65 years of age or older reported getting a flu shot, munity centers participated in the Sitting beside her, Doris Beavers, 68, of Sedgwick Houses, also in the but among African Americans, for example, the rate was signifi- program from July through Sep- Bronx, expressed her enthusiasm when she heard about the project, “I cantly lower —only 52%. As a result, this year we are actively tember, creating nearly 1,000 color- said, ‘Oh, isn’t that sweet.’ My heart poured out.” reaching out to communities of color in an effort to increase vacci- ful beds for cats and dogs in the The CACC is one of the busiest animal shelters in the United States nation rates. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene CACC’s five shelters. They also accepting nearly 60,000 animals a year. In July of this year the City (DOHMH) has partnered with community-based organizations, made over 1,000 toys. reduced the hours that the shelter can accept animals to 12 hours a day, medical providers, and faith-based organizations to increase flu vac- “We had a vision of how many seven days a week. It also reduced the number of hours the shelters cination rates in these communities. beds we would create, and we can operate their adoption programs. At the same time the Mayor As an active participant in the City’s Flu Immunization Cam- never shied away,” said Depart- announced the creation of the Mayor’s Alliance for Animals. The goal paign, NYCHA is canvassing its developments to make sure that ment of Community Operations of the Alliance, of which the CACC is a member, simply put, is to find public housing residents are properly immunized. You may have Program Manager for Citywide a good home for every cat and dog in New York City. seen the Flu Shot posters in your development’s Management Programs Ray Diaz, who oversees Ms. Jones thanked the seniors and NYCHA for their support.