First-Class U.S. Postage Paid New York, NY Permit No. 4119 NYCHA Vol. 41 No. 6 www.nyc.gov/nycha July/August 2011 First Resident Board Member Appointed to NYCHA Board Victor A. Gonzalez has history of community service feel not only honored but housing resident leader and advocate. housing for the future – the Plan to “I humbled to have been chosen,” He was president of the Residents As- Preserve Public Housing,” said NYCHA said Victor A. Gonzalez, NYCHA’s sociation of Rabbi Stephen Wise Towers Chairman John B. Rhea. “I look forward newest Board member. “I saw this as in Manhattan since 2003 and served as to Victor bringing his considerable en- an opportunity to impact not justJourna 350 an alternative member of NYCHA’s Resi- ergy and enthusiasm for housing issuesl families at my development, but almost dent Advisory Board. Mr. Gonzalez also to the Board while working with me, Em- half a million people.” has done extensive work with advocacy ily Youssouf and Margarita López on the Victor A. Gonzalez is the first resident ever Victor Antonio Gonzalez has been groups, organizing workshop meetings very challenging issues facing the New appointed to NYCHA’s Board. appointed as the first public housing for tenants. He serves on the Goddard York City Housing Authority.” said Reginald H. Bowman, President resident to NYCHA’s Board by Mayor Riverside Community Center Board; Mr. Gonzalez, who recently was hon- of the Citywide Council of Presidents. Michael R. Bloomberg, effective July 20, Community Board 7 in Manhattan; the ored by the residents of Wise Towers “Mr. Gonzalez’ appointment will give 2011. The City received more than 600 Neighborhood Advisory Board for the during Family Day, wants to bring his additional strength to the importance of applications for this first-time position, City’s Department of Youth and Com- personal experience as a public hous- residents’ positions in NYCHA matters.” representing a diverse resident pool munity Development (DYCD); and is a ing resident to the table and serve as a Mr. Gonzalez’ appointment follows from across five boroughs. member of the NYC Residents’ Alliance. bridge between NYCHA and residents. passage of a law by the State legislature “This is great news for NYCHA and its “Mayor Bloomberg’s appointment “I am eager to begin tackling the most in 2010 allowing for a resident to serve over 400,000 residents, who will for the of Victor Gonzalez as Resident Board pressing issues facing public housing to- on the Board. As resident board mem- first time in NYCHA’s history, be officially Member is another important step for day, including under-funding and safety ber, Mr. Gonzalez, a retired United Parcel represented at the Board level in critical NYCHA as the Authority becomes a and security,” he said. Service worker, will serve part-time. policy, regulation and contract decisions more open, responsive organization. “I look forward to working with Victor “It is my true pleasure to congratulate for the Authority moving forward,” said This furthers our collaborative efforts, Gonzalez and the entire NYCHA Board Victor Gonzalez on his appointment to Mayor Bloomberg. with elected resident leaders and other in greatly enhancing the voice of all the Board of the New York City Housing Mr. Gonzalez, who has lived in NYCHA stakeholders, to implement the long- residents in the policy and decisions of Authority,” said State Assemblyman Vito housing for 50 years, is a tireless public term strategy that will strengthen public the New York City Housing Authority,” Lopez, Chair of the continued on page 2 INSIDE NYCHA/FFAWN Teen Girls Initiative THIS ISSUE Soars with Take Flight Ceremony By Zodet Negrón During the weekend celebration, the or more than 40 girls from NYCHA girls joined FFAWN volunteer Danna Fdevelopments in Manhattan and Lennon-Thomas in a workshop on the Bronx, being a part of the NYCHA/ healthy relationships. They also at- FFAWN Teen Girls Initiative has helped tended a panel discussion with special them realize the importance of self- guests Wendy Wilson, news editor for worth, independence, financial respon- Essence Magazine; Brenda Braxton, sibility and the meaning of friendship. award-winning artist and entrepreneur; For the past six months, NYCHA and Patrice Tanaka, co-chair and chief cre- singer Mary J. Blige’s Foundation For ative officer of CRT/tanaka; and Eliza- the Advancement of Women Now, Inc. beth Toledo, who oversees operations Participants in the NYCHA-FFAWN Teen Girls provided girls and ages 12-15 the op- at the Dodge YMCA. Initiative stroll through the campus of Bard portunity to connect with mentors and Ms. Tanaka told the girls that she College in upstate New York during their provide the support and encourage- wouldn’t be in the position she is in weekend graduation in June. ment they need to pursue their dreams today if she had not gone after her “This program taught me that you ‘EXPLORINg’ and realize their full potential. dreams. “Every success I’ve had has can show off your confidence,” said Castle Hill Houses » read more on page 3 “[This program] taught me a lot,” been because I’ve followed a passion 12-year-old Nia Berrien from Wilson said Gionna Clinton, 16, from Gun Hill and pursued it,” she said. “You need to Houses in Manhattan. YOU NOW CAN VOICE Houses in the Bronx. “I’ve learned to tell yourself what it is you want to happen “Some of you were very shy in the YOUR OPINION in the Journal manage money and become more in- in your life and not what won’t, and tell beginning but you should all be com- » read more on page 2 dependent and how to support myself.” people who love you and support you.” mended because those of you who As a culmination to the program, the All of the panelists concluded that spoke out gave others the confidence RESIDENT GOOD SAMARITANS girls attended a sleepover at Bard Col- the secret to success is to believe in also to speak out and be a little stron- Save Lives, Keep Eyes Open lege in the Hudson Valley on June 24 and yourself, have a vision of what you want ger,” Deidra Gilliard, Assistant Deputy » read more on page 4 25. In the park-like campus surrounded to do and pursue your dreams and pas- General Manager of Community Opera- CHECKING THE HEALTH by fields and forests, the occasional sions. The girls heeded the message. tions and Development, told the girls. deer crossing fascinated the city girls “This program really inspired me. I NYCHA plans to continue the pro- of NYCHA Seniors » read more on page 8 while the dorms piqued their interest in loved all the events,” said Brianna Flores, gram and expand it beyond Manhattan going away to college in a few years. 15, from King Towers in Manhattan. and the Bronx. 2 July/August 2011 The Housing Authority Journal Introducing the NYCHA NYCHA Board Meetings Residents’ Voices! s the The Journal reserves the right to edit all content otice hereby is given that the New York City ANew York for length, clarity, good taste, accuracy, etc. NHousing Authority’s Board Meetings take place City Housing Because of space limitations, we must limit all every other Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Authority continues contributions to one letter per person per issue. Room on the 12th floor of 250 Broadway, New York, to become a more There are many ways to share your thoughts New York (unless otherwise noted). The remaining transparent agency, we with us at the Journal: meetings for Calendar Year 2011 are as follows: want to increase our efforts to reflect your voice. In • Send an e-mail to the spirit of the Community Conversations held for [email protected] August 3 September 28 November 23 the Plan to Preserve Public Housing and the new • Send a snail mail to: August 17 October 12 December 7 roundtable format for the town hall meetings as NYCHA Journal August 31 October 26 December 21 September 14 November 9 part of the Draft Agency Annual Plan process, we Letters to the Editor are pleased to introduce the NYCHA Residents’ 250 Broadway, 12th floor Any changes to the schedule above will be posted Voices in the Journal. New York, NY 10007 here and on NYCHA’s website at nyc.gov/nycha to Residents’ Voices will allow you to tell us what • Send a Tweet on Twitter at the extent practicable at a reasonable time before is on your mind. 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