THE HOPE HERALD

Affordable Housing Movement Afoot in East Harlem There is movement afoot in East Harlem Another victory in the affordable housing as residents and advocates campaign to arena was the passage of the 421a state reform rent regulations, increase shelter legislation last August, expanding the allowances, end landlord negligence affordable housing map to include Upper and harassment of immigrant and Manhattan and more outer borough low-income tenants, and preserve neighborhoods, and requiring affordable the neighborhood’s much-coveted units to be located within each certified affordable housing stock. development site, with no off-site designations allowed in less desirable Last spring, thousands of tenants and outer-borough locations. housing activists were joined by union leaders and elected officials during rallies The public housing movement will at Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper continue as CVH returns to City Hall for Village calling for rent stabilization Top/bottom: Community Voices Heard an October 4th rally to illustrate how legislation to preserve the city’s member Agnes Rivera and NYCHA youth NYCHA deficits have increasingly led to dwindling stock of subsidized housing for lead a public tour of Wagner Houses. rising rents and repair charges — and middle-income “Mitchell-Llama” families. to publicly warn against the planned As a show of support for local groups sale or demolition of any public housing such as Community Voices Heard (CVH) buildings in the City. and the Lakeview Tenants’ Association, Hope Community sponsored a bus to the Immigrant-led groups such as Movement May 23rd rally to and from East Harlem. for Justice in El Barrio, meanwhile, continue their work with low-income According to reports issued by Housing families in efforts to fight displacement Here and Now and the Furman Center, by combating the harassment and illegal between 2002 and 2005 New York City eviction methods of landlords. Recently, lost more than 200,000 apartments organizers issued “Worst Landlord” affordable to tenants earning $35,000 as awards and cited the City’s Housing, median rents increased approximately 9 Preservation and Development agency percent citywide — even as the average for their failure to address gentrification. household income dropped by more and Letitia James appealed to Governor Organizers are now planning a trip to than 6 percent. Reports also indicate that Spitzer to increase state funding for London, England to confront the British- more than 250,000 affordable units will public housing. based Dawnay Day at their corporate be decontrolled over the next 10 years headquarters. through Mitchell-Lama buyouts, Section The following day, CVH members led a 8 opt-outs and inadequate funding for walking tour to highlight longstanding Hope Community, meanwhile, continues public housing, making it impossible for maintenance and repair issues to keep sight of its mission to maintain low- and middle-income families to live exacerbated by inadequate funding to housing that is affordable to the in the City. the New York City Housing Authority residents of East Harlem, and to lend (NYCHA). Council members Melissa Mark- support to this growing coalition of local East Harlem residents, in particular, are Viverito and Rosie Mendez took part in housing advocates. One of the weapons not taking the situation lightly. On July the tour, which began in East Harlem’s in this battle has been the agency’s “East 25th, members of Community Voices Wagner Houses and ended at the Drew Harlem Focus” documentary and report Heard, Lakeview Tenants’ Association, Hamilton Houses further uptown. on gentrification. With public screenings Community Board 11, and Hope at El Museo del Barrio and Manhattan Community joined other neighborhood Both campaigns proved successful as Neighborhood Network held over the advocates at a City Hall press conference Governor Spitzer signed legislation to summer and additional community convened by New York Is Our Home. increase NYCHA’s shelter allowance by an presentations in the works, Hope and During the event, Council members $63 million over the next two years. other advocates will continue the Melissa Mark-Viverito, Rosie Mendez dialogue on this important issue.

HOPE COMMUNITY, INC. QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 2007, volume 39 - No. 3 P a g e 2 Hope Herald Movimiento Para Vivienda de Bajo Costo En El Barrio Los residentes y organizaciones del mes de Agosto, ampliando el mapa Este de Harlem están en campaña que cubre los edificios de NYCHA para la reforma de las regulaciones para incluir en norte de Manhattan y de alquiler, aumento financiero para vecindades más externas de la ciudad, residencias públicas de rentas, acabar y requiriendo unidades de bajas rentas con las negligencias de propietarios, en cada residencia de desarrollo el hostigamiento de arrendatarios certificado. inmigrantes e inquilinos de bajos ingresos, y para preservar y mantener El movimiento para preservar estas las viviendas de bajo costo en la unidades continuará porque CVH comunidad. vuelve a City Hall el 4 de Octubre para ilustrar como las residencias de NYCHA Above/Below: Movement for Social La primavera antepasada, miles han conducido al incremento del costo Justice del Barrio rally in East Harlem. de inquilinos y líderes activistas de viviendas – y para abiertamente de la comunidad se reunieron en publicar los planes de demolición Stuyvesant Town y Peter Cooper de algunas de estas residencias en la Village para reclamar legislación ciudad de Nueva York. para estabilizar rentas y preservar unidades bajo subsidio como las Grupos conducidos por inmigrantes residencias de “Mitchell-Lama” que como Movement for Justice in El Barrio, están otorgadas a familias de medio continúan sus esfuerzos para que las ingreso. Participantes fueron grupos familias de bajos recursos económicos locales como Community Voices Heard no se encuentren con el hostigamiento (CVH) y Lakeview Tenant’s Association, y los métodos ilegales que algunos Hope Community también se integró al propietarios hacen para sacarlos de asistieron la rueda de prensa en City esfuerzo y patrocinó un autobús para la sus propiedades. Recientemente, Hall convocada por New York Is Our demostración del 23 de mayo del 2007 los organizadores publicaron una Home. Durante el evento, la Miembro desde el este de Harlem hasta City Hall. ceremonia para otorgar un premio al del concejal la Sra. Melissa Mark- “Peor Propietario” y el ganador fue la Viverito, Sra. Rosie Mendes, y la Sra. Según los informes publicados por agencia de la ciudad H.P.D. por la falta Leticia James abogaron al gobernador Housing Here y el Centro de Furman, de tratar de prevenir la desplazamiento Spitzer para conseguir aumento desde el 2002 hasta 2005, la ciudad de tantas familias. Organizadores de financiero para las residencias públicas de Nueva York perdió más de 200,000 la ciudad están planeando un viaje a (NYCHA). apartamentos de bajo costo designado Londres, Inglaterra para enfrentarse para personas ganando $35,000 con Dawnay Day en sus jefaturas El día siguiente, miembros de CVH anual. Al mismo tiempo las rentas corporativas para continuar los condujo un viaje desde las residencias incrementaron un nueve por ciento aun esfuerzos de preservar estas unidades. de Wagner Houses hasta Drew cuando el ingreso anual de las familias Hamilton Houses para demostrar y ha decaído un seis por ciento. Los Mientras tanto, Hope Community destacar como se mantienen estas informes también indican que más de continúa el esfuerzo de su misión: residencias sin el financiamiento 250,000 unidades de bajo costo serán mantener y preservar residencias de adecuado. La Sra. Mark-Viverito y la descontroladas durante los próximos bajo costo a los residentes del Este Sra. Rosie Mendez participaron en el 10 años con la perdida de las unidades de Harlem, y unirse a la lucha. Una viaje. de “Mitchell-Lama” y de Sección 8. Esto de las armas en esta batalla ha sido hace imposible que las familias de bajos el documental “East Harlem Focus,” Ambas campañas fueron un triunfo ingresos puedan vivir en la ciudad. producido por Hope Community, cuando el gobernador Spitzer firmó para informar a la comunidad del la legislación para aumentar con $63 Los residentes del este de Harlem, problema de gentrificacion en millones para uso del mantenimiento no están tomando la situación nuestra comunidad. Hemos tenido de estas unidades por los dos próximos ligeramente. El 25 de Julio, miembros la oportunidad de presentar el años. de Community Voices Heard, la documentario en los estudios del asociación de Lakeview Tenants, El Museo del Barrio y Manhattan Otra victoria fue la aprobación de la Community Board 11, y Hope Neighborhood Networks durante el legislación del estado 421a el pasado Community unieron sus fuerzas y verano. SEPTEMBER 2007 Page 3 Hope Community Gardens Adorned with Murals

Once again, Hope Community Una vez más, Hope Community se welcomed several dozen local interns honra en tener jóvenes de Summer from the Summer Youth Employment Youth Employment Program para la Program appointed to create outdoor creación de tres murales de dos de murals under the artistic direction of nuestros jardines con la dirección the Creative Arts Workshop. artística de Creative Arts Workshop.

They worked steadily over the Estos jóvenes trabajaron durante summer clearing brush and debris el verano, usando pinceles para and designing and installing colorful diseñar estas obras de artes con outdoor murals in Hope’s community colores vibrantes y con un mensaje dirigido a nuestra comunidad. Los garden on Second Avenue (between murales ubicadas el en jardín de East 117th & 118th Streets), and two la Segunda Avenida (entre la calle others on East 115th Street (between este de la 117 y 118), y las otras dos First and Pleasant Avenues. obras están en la calle 115 (entre las avenidas de Primera a Pleasant). Hope Activities Coordinator Jaritza Taveras worked closely with the youth La coordinadora de eventos de in the gardens and invited them to Hope Community, Jaritza Taveras, visit Hope Community for a July 16th trabajó arduamente con los jóvenes presentation of their vision for the durante el verano y ellos fueron outdoor murals, “Home Sweet Home,” invitados a Hope Community “Metamorphosis,” and “Game of para dar una presentación de sus Immigration.” obras. El 16 de Julio la visión de estos murales fue presentada y sus Upon completion of the murals, the nombres son los siguientes: “Hogar teens then organized a walking tour Dulce Hogar,” “Metamorfosis,” y “El of the outdoor murals. Juego de la Inmigración.”

The August 16th tour included stops A la culminación del programa, el at Hope’s community, and a barbecue 16 de agosto del 2007 en el parque held at Peace Place Park on East llamado Peace Place en la calle 124 124th, where CAW screened a teen este, los jóvenes organizaron una documentary about the creation of caminata para presentarles a sus the 2007 murals. padres y a la comunidad sus obras y el significado de ellas. Allí hubo un documental presentado por “We were pleased to note that CAW para mostrar el trabajo y el the interns had incorporated such esfuerzo de estos jóvenes, donde important issues in their design, such ellos discutieron la importancia as immigration and family values,” del hogar, la inmigración en commented Hope Board Chair Roger nuestra comunidad y los cambios Cabán. percibidos.

“This is the second year that Creative Roger Cabán de Hope Community Arts Workshop interns have worked in dijo, “este es el segundo año our community gardens, and we look que los muchachos de Creative forward to having them return next Arts Workshop trabajan en los year,” Cabán added. jardines de Hope Community, y los estaremos esperando para el For more information, visit: www. próximo.” Para más información, creativeartsworkshop.org. visite: www.creativeartsworkshop. org. P a g e 4 Hope Herald

Welcoming Party for Artist Angelo Romano Poetas Con Cafe Celebrates In July, Poetas Con Café performers included award-winning playwright & poet Frank Pérez, and playwright Eugene Rodriguez’s Puerto Rican Intercultural Drama Ensemble with Rhina Valentin, Angelo Lozada, Mariposa, Andre Rodriguez, MelleSOL, Indio Melendez, Tania Ochoteco, and Anais (pictured below).

The 10th anniversary season On Friday, August 30th, Hope of Poetas Con Café kicked off board and staff joined tenants in on June 17th, as Hope Board acknowledging Spanish-American Chairman Roger Cabán hosted a artist Angelo Romano for his special Father’s Day tribute in the donation of approximately 100 Modesto Flores Community Garden pieces currently on display in featuring Américo Casiano Jr and the community room at Carlos the NuyoRican School Original Rios Senior Residence. Also Poetry Jazz Ensemble (pictured in attendance were local Art above and below). Historian Mario Cesar Romeo and Community Board 11 member Brunilda Vega.

The June festivities continued with an additional performance by Alma Villegas with percussionists Eddie Conde Perez and Willie Serrano & singer Hector Papote Jimenez On Friday, August 10th, (pictured below). internationally renowned Spanish- American artist Angelo Romano installed over 50 pieces from his private collection along the walls of Hope Community’s Carlos Rios Senior Residence. The prolific artist’s colorful works contain abstract and spiritual themes, with many pieces created from ordinary household products and other recycled materials. SEPTEMBER 2007 Page 5 10th Anniversary All Summer! Hope Community, Inc. Board of Directors

Roger Cabán, President Miguel Calderon, Vice President Ann C. Henderson, Treasurer William Ofenloch, Secretary Haydee F. Areizaga Stacy Crawford Lisa Otterbeck Rubye C. Wright Roger Cabán (pictured above) then The 10th Anniversary celebration followed up with an August 11th then culminated with a Pedro Pietri- Hope Herald Contributors poetry jam session featuring Bobby inspired spectacular, which included González with musicians Joe Falcón performances by Speedo Pietri Design/Layout and Ricardo Stobert, followed by a (pictured above), Mariposa, and Jesus Marina Ortiz recital by the dynamic nationalist Papoleto Melendez (pictured below). author, Prisionera (pictured below). The September event also marked Editors the dedication of the rear courtyard Marina Ortiz of the Modesto Flores Community Robin LeBaron Garden as the “Pedro Pietri Poetry Camille Parker Yard.” Photography Marina Ortiz Jaritza Taveras

Translation Jaritza Taveras Carmen Vasquez

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Send articles, reviews and photographs to: Hope Community, Inc. 174 East 104th Street New York, NY 10029

In addition to complimentary snacks email: [email protected] and refreshments, guests were treated this year to custom designed Questions? Call lapel pins commemorating the 10th (212) 860-8821, Ext. 111 anniversary of Hope’s poetry series and specialty coffee from East Harlem Cafe (left). P a g e 6 Hope Herald Highlights of Hope Community Events

Top/bottom: On June 22nd, students and Top/bottom: Ortiz-Wittenberg tenants and Top/bottom: Activities Coordinator Jaritza teachers from Central Park East II visited their neighbors took an end-of-summer field Taveras coordinated a June 25th gardening Hope’s Modesto Flores Community Garden trip to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. activitity with tenants from Carlos Rios after making a $500 donation from funds Hope’s Activities Coordinator Jaritza Taveras Senior Residence who planted spring flowers collected through the school’s Penny Harvest helped tenants raise money for the August in the building’s rear courtyard. The sprouts program. During their visit, students were 30th outing by organizing sidewalk bake should grow over the summer in time for a given a personal tour of the fish pond by sales and other fundraising activities. fall blossom. garden volunteer Yvonne Pacheco.

Bottom: On September 20th, Carlos Rios Seniors were treated to a tour of Randall’s Top/bottom: Over the summer, Hope Island Park courtesy of the Randalls Island Top/bottom: On August 7, the 23rd Precinct tenants and staff were treated to several Sports Foundation. Afterwards, the seniors Community Council held its annual National field trips to Yankee Stadium courtesy of Con had lunch while enjoying the view along the Night Out, at which Hope’s Carmen Vasquez Edison. Harlem River waterfront. and other local residents were awarded commendations for their community service. SEPTEMBER 2007 Page 7 East Harlem Little League Celebrates With BBQ On August 25th, Hope staff attended a barbecue celebration sponsored by Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito (pictured right) to honor the East Harlem Little League, recent winners of the Section 3 New York State Major League Championship. Throughout the day, the youth were congratulated and given complimentary baseballs, hats, bats, and trophies donated by local agencies such as the Museum of the City of New York.

Little League members were also treated to a tour of the Stickball exhibit on display at Taller Boricua, along with lots of hamburgers and other snacks. The event was sponsored, in part, by Hope Community, Inc.

Outdoor Memorial for Our Lady Queen of Angels Parishioner Carmen González

Hope Community Board Member Haydee Areizaga and Communication Associates Marina Ortiz attended an outdoor memorial service for Our Lady Queen of Angels parishioner, Carmen González. The August 30th ceremony was attended by hundreds of local residents and friends. Dozens of family members were also present, including Mrs. González’s four sons - each of whom appealed to the Archdiocese to reopen the 121-year-old church as Mrs. Gonzalez had advocated. P a g e 8 Hope Herald