Vol. 37, No. 8 www.nyc.gov/nycha AUGUST 2007 RESIDENTS IN THE LIME LIG HT New Program New Affordable Housing for AT THE 37TH TALENT SHOW! Saves Money, Seniors in Crown Heights BROADWAY , WATCH OUT ! F OR THE 37 TH YEAR IN A ROW , THE NEW YORK Electricity and CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY ’S (NYCHA’ S) BEST SINGERS , MUSICIANS , DANCERS , ACTORS AND COMEDIANS CAME TOGETHER TO SHOWCASE THEIR the Environment TALENTS AT THE ANNUAL TALENT SEARCH COMPETITION . This year’s electrifying performances brought a crowd of family, friends and well- By Eileen Elliott wishers to the auditorium of the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan on the afternoon of June 16th. SAVING MONEY AND ELECTRICITY WHILE The contestants, 75 residents, all and tears of delight. Each winner REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF CARBON DIOX - amateurs, performed in 17 sepa - will receive professional head - IDE RELEASED INTO THE AIR IS AS EASY rate acts that were judged by shots; dance winners will receive AS CHANGING A LIGHT BULB ! The New a panel of performing arts profes - studio lessons with the Mark York City Housing Authority sionals. Firs t-, secon d- and Morris Dance company; singers (NYCHA) is doing just that with a third-place winners were named in and rappers will receive profes - new pilot program recently each of four age categories. See sional voice lessons; and actors launched at Boulevard and Lin - below for a list of the winners. received gift certificates to the den Houses in the New Lots sec - As usual, the final awards Drama Book Store in Manhattan. tion of Brooklyn. As part of the presentation was filled with cheers Con Edison Electricity Demand Reduction Program, 12,000 AGES 6-12 standard light bulbs in the devel - ALL TOGETHER (left to right) Resident Mickey Lam, former City Coun - First Place No Name Necessary Whitman Houses opments’ apartments, stairwells cil Member Una Clarke, resident Marjorie Aguilera, NYCHA General Second Place Lamar Hawkins Redfern Houses and stairways are being replaced Manager Douglas Apple and Health and Hospital Corporation Board Third Place Dancing Angels St. Nicholas Houses with Compact Fluorescent Lamps Member Josephine Bolus at the Kings County Senior Residence. (CFLs). You know, the spiral ones AGES 13-17 that look like this: By Tischelle George First Place Drama Sheepshead Bay Houses Second Place EM Joffy Boulevard Houses THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY (NYCHA) IS DOING ITS PART Third Place Divatude Ladies Atlantic Terminal TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MAYOR 'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVE WHILE ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF ONE OF ITS FASTEST GROWING POPULA - AGES 18-54 TION S — SENIORS . NYCHA General Manager Douglas Apple, along First Place Word n’ LQ South Beach Houses with several other city, state and federal agency representatives, con - Second Place Anthony Strickland Ocean Bay Houses vened at the new Kings County Senior Residence in Crown Heights, Third Place Dana Bland Straus Houses Brooklyn on June 25th to celebrate its official opening with a ribbon- cutting ceremony. AGES 55 and Up A collaborative, multi-pronged percent of NYCHA units. First Place Billie Elliot Lincoln Houses approach from various levels of NYCHA is playing an important Second Place Marion Sheppard Soundview Houses government was required to bring role in this facility by providing Third Place Dove Dancers Lincoln Houses the residence into being. “We project-based Section 8, vouchers The new bulbs will cost NYCHA looked at ways to get around our for all 172 apartments in the resi - almost nothin g—Con Ed is sub - own bureaucracy, and now we have dence, so that residents will only sidizing the progra m—and ben - this beautiful development to show have to pay 30 percent of their efit everyone. Most importantly, for it,” said Department for the income toward the rent. Also, if a they will reduce the demand for Aging Commissioner Edwin resident decides to move to electricity during the hottest Mendez-Santiago, who was one of another location, NYCHA will summer months, when the need the guest speakers at the ribbon maintain the Section 8 voucher for for electricity is greatest. cutting ceremony. the apartment, as well as issue a Eventually, the program will Many of the speakers paid voucher to the relocating resident expand to cover 75 develop - homage to Council Member emer - to help them find affordable hous - ments in the borough, and itus Una Clarke, who was also in ing in another location of their according to Public Energy Solu - attendance, for having the vision to choice. Residents were chosen by tions Vice-President Jay Roe - foresee the need for residences a lottery process. mer, one of the contractors where independent seniors could Eliza Laing, who has been living hired for the work, when that continue to live comfortably in in Kings County for a few months, happens NYCHA will be respon - their communities. Mr. Apple said said she is very pleased with her sible for reducing the amount of one of the biggest challenges that new home. “I like the privacy I electricity used by an estimated NYCHA faces is finding ways to have now, and the rooms are large 15,700,000 kilowatt hours per keep our senior residents thriving enough,” said Ms. Laing who used NO NAME NECESSARY took home first prize in the 6-12 age cate - year. That’s because a CFL in their communities. Seniors, to live with her adult son in a stu - gory. Here the young dancers from Walt Whitman Houses in uses only 18 watts of electric ity aged 62 and over listed as head of dio apartment in Crown Heights. Brooklyn pose for a brief shot before the show. (Continued on page 7) household, constitute a full 34.5 (Continued on page 4) PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 4 HELP CONSERVE ELECTRICITY YOUTH CHORUS KICKS OFF FAMILY BODEGA OPENS AND WATER IN NEW YORK CITY JVC JAZZ FESTIVAL AT UNITY PLAZA, B’KLYN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 2 AUGUST 2007 MAYOR’S MESSAGE NYCHA Youth Chorus Kicks Off JVC Help Conserve Electricity and Water During the Hottest Summer Months Jazz Festival at Gracie Mansion By Allan Leicht THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MAN - THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHOR - AGEMENT (OEM) ENCOURAGES NEW ITY (NYCHA) Y OUTH CHORUS TOOK YORKERS TO TAKE STEPS TO KEEP SAFE CENTER STAGE AS HONOREES AT THE AND COOL IN THE EXTREME HOT KICK -OFF OF THE JVC J AZZ FESTIVAL , WEATHER . Remember to keep pets safe and cool, too. For New Yorkers HELD AT GRACIE MANSION THIS who need relief from the heat, the JUNE . Deputy Mayor Dennis Wal - City operates cooling centers cott, referring to himself as the throughout the five boroughs during “Deputy Mayor for Jazz,” presided heat waves; many are right on over the event, which featured NYCHA property. Call 311 to find the music of the Sonny Fortune a cooling center near you. In the Quartet and the New School Jazz meantime, everyone can help keep Quartet. The JVC Jazz Festival- the City running smoothly by con - New York is recognized as one of the preeminent music festivals in serving water and electricity. Here UNITED IN SONG The NYCHA Youth Chorus with Director Larry the world, presenting audiences are a few conservation tips from the Matthew, Deputy General Manager Hugh Spence and (right) Chair - with the opportunity to hear the City’s Office of Emergency Man - man Tino Hernandez and Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott. agement (OEM). very best in jazz. Each year JVC makes a dona - Avoid Power Outages: Conserve Power tion to a City agency in appreci - During periods of intense electrical usage, such as on hot, humid ation for hosting the festival. days, it is important to conserve as much energy as possible to avoid This year, NYCHA Chairman Tino brownouts and other electrical disruptions. Here’s how you can help Hernandez accepted a $5,000 conserve energy: gift certificate from JVC Com - • Set your air conditioner thermostat no lower than 78 degrees; a pany of America Executive Vice- 75-degree setting uses 18 percent more electricity and a President and Chief Operating 72-degree setting uses 39 percent more electricity. A 78-degree Officer Craig Geiger on behalf of setting allows for sufficient cooling while still conserving the Chorus. The certificate will electric power. be used to purchase audio and • Only use an air conditioner when you are home. If you want to video equipment from JVC’s cat - cool your room down before you arrive home, set a timer to have it alogue. “The great equipment will be put to very good use,” switch on no more than one-half hour before you arrive. DEPUTY MAYOR FOR JAZZ GIFT JVC Vice-President Craig said the Chairman. • Turn off all nonessential appliances. Dennis Walcott served as Geiger presents gift certificate to Also in attendance were • Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. master of ceremonies. Chairman Tino Hernandez • Only use appliances that have heavy electrical loads, such as dish - NYCHA Vice-Chairman Earl washers, early in the morning or very late at night. Andrews, Jr. and Board Member fessionalism, musicianship and technique are among the many While using less electricity might seem like an inconvenience, your Margarita López. academic excellence. components of the program. cooperation will help to ensure that utilities can continue to provide Gifts from JVC include a 32- The Chorus’ repertoire in- “We are finally able to launch uninterrupted electrical service. inch flat panel television cludes classical, jazz, Latin, programs that have been on Conserve Water screen, DVD video recorder, gospel and pop selections. Vocal hold with materials for the speakers, microphones and training, music theory, sight music library, video archives, • Have any leaky faucets repaired and make sure taps are turned electronic accessories, all state singing and ear training, perfor - research and education,” said off tightly. of the art, all for the enhance - mance prep and performance Mr. Matthew. • Take short showers; only fill bathtubs halfway when taking ment of the Chorus’ Arts and a bath. Media Center, Practice Rooms • Run dishwasher and washing machines only when they are full. and Multimedia Library. The Housing Authority • Do not let water run while washing dishes, shaving or brushing 73 The Chorus sang their thanks years your teeth. of Public Housing to JVC under the leadership of in New York Ci ty Fire Hydrants Chorus Director Larry Matthew Journal and then went on to perform a While it may be tempting to cool yourself off by opening a fire song medley, giving the Gracie ESTABLISHED 1970 • CIRCULATION 200,000 hydrant, open hydrants can lower local water pressure, hinder the Mansion audience of 1,000 City Published monthly by the New York City Housing Authority efforts of firefighters, and endanger the lives of children who may be employees, jazz lovers, sponsors propelled into traffic by the force of the water. An open hydrant Department of Communications and musicians, a taste of what 250 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10007 wastes 1,000 gallons of water per minute, overtaxes the sewer system has made the Chorus the pride Tel (212) 306-3322 • Fax (212) 577-1358 nyc.gov/nycha and causes flooding of City streets. of the Housing Authority since it • If you observe a running fire hydrant, please notify the City by was founded in 1997. Michael R. Bloomberg ...... Mayor calling 311 with its location. In addition to their perfor - • If you experience low or no water pressure, notify the City by Tino Hernandez ...... Chairman mances at Gracie Mansion, the Earl Andrews, Jr...... Vice -Chairman calling 311. Chorus has also brought song to Margarita López ...... Board Member “Spray caps” can be obtained from your local fire station and can Mayor Bloomberg’s Inauguration, Vilma Huertas ...... Secretary be installed on any fire hydrant to produce a circular spray of cool Douglas Apple ...... General Manager Yankee Stadium, the Apollo The - Sheila Greene ...... Director, Department of Communications water, reducing output to a safe level while still providing relief from ater, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln the heat. To obtain a spray cap, visit your local firehouse.You must be Eileen Elliott ...... Editor Center, the Disney Epcot Center, Heidi Morales ...... Editor, Spanish Edition 18 or older to obtain a spray cap. and Radio City Music Hall. Tischelle George ...... Online News Editor For more information on keeping cool and conserving resources, There are currently 60 regis - Allan Leicht ...... Staff Writer visit OEM’s website at nyc.gov/oem. Deborah Williams ...... Staff Writer tered participants in the Youth Peter Mikoleski, Kevin Devoe ...... Photography Chorus, aged 12 to 19 years old, Michael R. Bloomberg most of whom reside in NYCHA If you are interested in placing an advertisement in the Journal , please developments. Each Chorus call our marketing representatives in Marketing and Revenue Operations member is required to pass a rig - at (212) 306 -6616. The inclusion of any advertisement in this Journal Call 311 For All orous audition. Maintaining does not constitute any endorsement by the Housing Authority of the advertiser or its products or services or any other representation by the membership requires consistent Non-Emergency City Services Housing Authority with respect to such products or services. attendance at rehearsals, pro - THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL AUGUST 2007 3

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE DEBORAH’S DIARY By Deborah Williams

Harlem Former After-School All-Stars (ASAS) Student Using New Technology to Provide Redeems Scholarshi p— Each year, St. John’s the Best Possible Service to Residents Summer Stage University selects and awards 20 outstanding ASAS participants with a $1,000 scholarship THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHOR - redeemable if the participant chooses to attend ITY HAS LAUNCHED A SERIES OF INITIATVES 2007 St. John’s University upon completion of high USING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY SO THAT school. ASAS of New York City (formerly Inner WE CAN PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE SER - City Games) was created in 1997 and serves Housing VICE TO RESIDENTS . I’d like to take the Live Entertainment Authority youth between the ages of 7 and 13. Every summer, ASAS opportunity in this month’s column to offers a two-month on-campus sports/educational camp at St. John’s highlight a few of them: Thursday Evenings University’s Queens campus and at CUNY’s Manhattan campus, called The Centralized Call Center “CampUs.” Over 1,000 NYCHA youth from Community Centers from 5:00-7:30PM Citywide participate each summer. A typical day at ASAS is divided One of the Housing Authority’s most into two educational component s— half the day is devoted to literacy wide-ranging innovations is our Central - instruction, math instruction and computer technology, and the other ized Call Center, or “CCC.” As residents Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. half is spent at athletics and recreational activities. One scholarship from Staten Island, Queens and Manhat - winner was Shavone Williams, a member of Woodside Community tan already know, the CCC allows you to call a single telephone num - State Office Building Plaza Center in Queens. Now that Shavone has completed high school, she ber: (718)707-7771, to schedule maintenance or repair appointments, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. plans on attending St. John’s University in the fall and will use her 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Now we are completing 72% of scholarship toward tuition. Shavone has the honor of being the very scheduled work requests in less than five business days, and accord - & 125th Street first ASAS student to actually redeem her $1,000 scholarship ing to feedback from residents, the customer satisfaction rate is 98%. award. Shavone, congratulations on your graduation, acceptance The CCC is scheduled to expand to Brooklyn and the Bronx by the into St. John’s University, and on using your scholarship.You are end of this year. August 2nd a smart young lady and I expect you will do great at St. John’s. Again, Congrats! Customer Relationship Initiative Doo Wop and NYCHA is about to embark on a comprehensive initiative that will NYCHAYouth Triumph at World Double Dutch Championship s— expand the CCC and transform the way we serve residents. Our Cus - R&B When entering any competition you always hope to reach the top and tomer Relationship Initiative will allow NYCHA staff to have com - take home the medal. The Hot Steppers of Stuyvesant Gardens Com - puterized access to comprehensive resident information showing a August 9th munity Center in Brooklyn had that hope until they faced financial woes. resident’s entire history, from first application to the most recent After winning the State Competition on May 5, 2007, the Hot Steppers maintenance work completed, to the status of rent payments. This will Tribute to tea m—Imani Canteen, Eysis Elliott, Adriana Barnett and Iyana Jack - allow staff to access the information needed to answer inquiries Patti LaBelle so n—merged with the Jammin’ Jumpers, and both teams expected to quickly and easily. We expect to implement the Customer Relation - board a bus bound for Sumter, South Carolina to compete in the World ship Initiative by the end of 2009. Championships, but the team lacked funding. “The girls desperately Smart Building Initiatives August 16th wanted a shot at the world championships, where kids from the U.S. and Japan compete, but funding was tight,” wrote reporters Keren Dabush NYCHA has also embarked on a set of “Smart Building” initia - Dance, Amateur and Denise Romano in a Daily News article. Stuyvesant Gardens Com - tives which take advantage of advanced technology to improve ser - Night WBLS Air munity Center Director Vicky Lamb thought about holding a fund-rais - vices and save money. A prime example is our award-winning ing event but knew that she could never raise the $21,000 needed for the Computerized Heating Automated System, known as “CHAS,” which Personality Salute trip. Seeking funds from outside organizations, the Jammin’ Jumpers allows for the remote monitoring of NYCHA’s 195 major central received funding from The United Federation of Teachers and the Penny heating plants. CHAS also allows NYCHA heating plant technicians August 23rd Harvest, “but that wasn’t enough to get us there,” said Betty Cooper, to be instantly notified of outages and other potentially disruptive originally the Hot Steppers’ coach. Miraculously, after a Daily News arti - conditions at these heating plants so that we can initiate a timely Gospel cle ran telling of the Jammin’ Jumpers plight, additional donations response. NYCHA residents reap the benefit of improved heating and poured in from the City Council, local businesses, and residents from domestic hot water service and reduced heating system downtimes. August 30th NewYork as well as neighboring cities. A local community organization CHAS has already been implemented at 155 sites. provided funding for the uniforms but the greatest support came from the Remote Elevator Monitoring System Jazz & R&B developer of Brooklyn’s Atlantic Yards, Forest City Ratner, who gra - ciously agreed to pay a whopping $16,000 for transportation. “I feel like What CHAS does for heating technology our remote elevator mon - September 6th crying. I am just so happy. I had fun last year at the World Champi - itoring system does for elevators. Once fully operational, this system onships, but this year I know we are going to win,” said 11-year-old will monitor the operation of NYCHA’s 3,334 elevators with a wire - Mixture of Music Trudy Sharpe, one of the 20 members of the Jammin’ Jumpers, in a state - less communication system that will alert supervisors of elevator out - ment to the Daily News. And win they did. The Jammin’ Jumpers dou - ages. This will allow our elevator teams to respond more rapidly and bles team jumped into third place and the singles team landed in fifth reduce disruption times. Raindate Fridays place. What of the Hot Steppers? Well, they didn’t win the World Cham - During these challenging financial times, NYCHA is working to pionships but they were runners up, winning second place at World find the best technology available to bring residents the best service Championships in the sixth-grade doubles division. “I felt happy and I we can. Keep an eye open for more on these and other exciting initia - felt that we tried our best,” said Imani Canteen, resident of Stuyvesant tives in future issues of your NYCHA Journal. Gardens who was on the sixth-grade doubles team. “It was a thrill to go beyond the elimination round,” she added in her statement to the Daily Tino Hernandez News. “This was a great achievement for the Hot Steppers. I started train - ing the girls this year in April. Before that these girls had never com - peted and look what they have accomplished. I am so proud of them,” said Ms. Cooper. This is great!You girls did a fantastic job and deserve New York City high praise. It gives me great pleasure to hear that the community came together to provide financial support. Congratulations Hot Step - Police Department pers and Jammin’ Jumpers! Toll-Free If you have good news you would like to share with your neighbors, Terrorism Hotline drop me a few lines care of The NYCHA Journal /250 Broadway, 12th Floor/NewYork, NewYork 10007 or by fax at (212) 577-1358, or Reports May Be Made To: better yet, you can e-mail me at: [email protected]. Or hey, make it personal! Give me a call at (212) 306-4752. I can't 100% 1-888-NYC-SAFE guarantee it, but I'll do my best to see that your good news makes it 1-888-692-7233 into this column. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 4 AUGUST 2007

Douglas Avila. The students of NOT WANTED Family Bodega Site Opens nearby PS/IS 328 created a color - THE NYCHA LIST ful, dramatic mural for the front In this issue we continue our editorial policy of publishing the names of gate of the sparkling new offices individuals who have been permanently excluded from our public at Brooklyn’s Unity Plaza of Family Bodega. housing developments. This list is part of NYCHA’s effort to keep The grand opening of Family residents informed of the Housing Authority’s ongoing effort to Bodega was a reunion of sorts for improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers in public housing and to Carol Shapiro and NYCHA Gen - allow for the peaceful and safe use of our facilities. Here follows a list eral Manager Douglas Apple, of the people excluded after hearings were held on March 29, and April who had worked together before 5 and 12, 2006. Please note: These exclusions are based on in New York City government. NYCHA’s Administrative Hearing Process and should not be Mr. Apple observed that Ms. confused with the Trespass Notice Program under Mayor Shapiro “always had a vision” Bloomberg’s Operation Safe Housing Initiative. and that NYCHA was proud to share that vision. The General REMEMBER, Manager also thanked NYCHA IF YOU SEE ANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ON Director of Social Services Nora HOUSING AUTHORITY PROPERTY, PLEASE CALL Reissig-Lazzaro, who is the key YOUR MANAGEMENT OFFICE OR NYCHA’S liaison between the Authority and SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT AT (212) 306-8595. Family Bodega. Family Bodega is located at 340-A Williams Avenue in East New York, tele - Prohibited as of March 29, 2006 phone: (718)342-2650. Benicia Loyata Case 9118/04 formerly associated with the fifth Diaz floor of 530 East 146th Street, Betances Houses, the Bronx. Duwon Case 1265/06 formerly associated with the third Braithwaite floor of 80 Dwight Street, Red Hook West Houses, Senior Brooklyn. Ikim Brown Case 945/06 formerly associated with the fourth Housing floor of 117 North Oxford Walk, Whitman Houses, Brooklyn. (Continued from page 1) Trent Cook Case 1763/06 formerly associated with the tenth OPENING DAY (left to right) Office Manager Sonia Albarran, Family She said she also enjoys the friend - floor of 927 Dekalb Avenue, Roosevelt Houses, Services Coordinator Carmen Roman-Medina, and Family Bodega Bernard Cook ships she’s developing with the Brooklyn. Case Managers Rafaela Santos and Chaquanna Vasquez at the other residents and staff. Lemmel Myers Case 1762/06 formerly associated with the first Unity Plaza opening in East New York. floor of 104 Tapscott Street, Tapscott/Reid Houses, The development has on-site Brooklyn. By Allan Leicht staff who help with housekeeping and organize recreational activi - Nyjah Anthony Case 1777/06 formerly associated with the THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY (NYCHA) WELCOMED FAMILY nineteenth floor of 1373 Washington Avenue, ties. The location of the new senior BODEGA TO UNITY PLAZA HOUSES ON MONDAY MORNING , J UNE 11 TH , IN CER - Morris Houses, the Bronx. residence, which is in between the EMONIES UNDER A BIG WHITE TENT AT THE CORNER OF BLAKE AND WILLIAMS Susan McKinney Nursing Home Prohibited as of April 5, 2006 AVENUES IN THE EAST NEW YORK SECTION OF BROOKLYN . A service of the and Kings County Hospital Center, Richard Martinez Case 6717/05 formerly associated with the first national nonprofit organization Family Justice, Family Bodega will provide adds peace of mind to residents floor of 311 Osborn Street, Brownsville Houses, support and counseling to the families of East New York and Brownsville. and their families alike should the Brooklyn. Family Justice is based in New York and works in diverse settings across need for medical assistance arise. Reinaldo Crespo Case 9581/03 formerly associated with the the country, tapping the strengths of families, government, and communities fourteenth floor of 765 Courtlandt Avenue, to break cycles of involvement in the criminal justice system. Jackson Houses, the Bronx. “This is a day of celebration,” on to express the Housing Author - Donnie Wright Case 1829/06 formerly associated with the sixth said Family Justice Founder and ity’s commitment to social services floor of 40-07 Vernon Boulevard, Queensbridge Executive Director Carol Shapiro despite financial constraints. North Houses, Long Island City. to a gathering of over 200, “and it “Family Bodega at Unity Plaza Vaughn Armour Case 1846/06 formerly associated with the fifth would not be possible without will be a valuable resource for floor of 177 Nagle Avenue, Dyckman Houses, NYCHA’s leadership in recogniz - NYCHA residents who are in need Manhattan. ing the value of engaging and sup - of the family-focused supportive Lorenzo Dixon Case 6429/05 formerly associated with the sixth porting families that face severe services Family Justice provides," floor of 629 Kingsborough 6th Walk, Kingsborough challenges and risks.” Given Fam - Mr. Andrews said. “We are pleased Houses, Brooklyn. ily Justice’s rich history of part - to have the opportunity to once Jason Cosme Case 1881/06 formerly associated with the sixteenth nering with the Housing again be partners with them and floor of 869 Flushing Avernue, Bushwick/Hylan Authority, with law enforcement, work to secure the health, safety, Houses, Brooklyn. and with families and the commu - and advancement of our residents Terrance Burnett Case 1924/06 formerly associated with the sixth nity, together we will chart a dif - and the general community.” floor of 333 Georgia Avenue, Unity Plaza Houses, ferent course.” Family Bodega Program Man - Brooklyn. Ms. Shapiro was referring to the ager Jenn Batterton served as mis - Prohibited as of April 12, 2006 success since 1996 of this support - tress of ceremonies for the Devon Bryan Case 472/06 formerly associated with the seventh ive approach at Family Justice’s program and described the Family floor of 1430 Redfern Avenue, Redfern Houses, first center, La Bodega de la Bodega mission of providing fam - Far Rockaway. Familia on the Lower East Side, ily case management and walk-in Desi Stewart Case 1973/06 formerly associated with the seventh which has resulted in decreased referrals to area residents who face floor of 328 East 145th Street, Patterson Houses, drug use and arrest rates, as well as a range of complicated challenges, the Bronx. the improved overall well-being including involvement in the crim - Germaine Selby Case 2964/02 formerly associated with the sixth among participating families. La inal justice system or risk of such Tyreese Selby floor of 428 Sheffield Avenue, Long Island Baptist Bodega also has a satellite location involvement, unemployment, Houses, Brooklyn. at NYCHA’s Jacob Riis Houses. addiction, HIV/AIDS, and mental Rosa Agosto Case 2002/06 formerly associated with the NYCHA Vice-Chairman Earl illness. Ms. Batterton also ex- KINGS COUNTY SENIOR RESI - Lusi Agosto seventh floor of 85-02 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Andrews, Jr. brought greetings pressed special appreciation for DENCE in Crown Heights, Brook - Hammel Houses/Carlton Manor, from Chairman Tino Hernandez the collaboration of Unity Plaza lyn had its Grand Opening in Rockaway Beach. and paid tribute to Ms. Shapiro, Resident Association President June. Residents of the facility’s noting how difficult it is to start Cynthia Whitacker and to Inter- 172 apartments hold Section 8 something new. Mr. Andrews went mediate School 328 Principal vouchers. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL AUGUST 2007 5

CALL 311 FOR ALL NON- EMERGENCY CITY SERVICES

AVOID THE WEST NILE VIRUS The West Nile Virus is spread to people by infected mosquitoes. In people older than 50, it can cause serious or fatal illness. To avoid West Nile Virus, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks. Also, use an insect repellent with DEET. If you have questions call 311 and ask for information on West Nile Virus. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 6 AUGUST 2007 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL AUGUST 2007 7 New Pro gr am Saves Money, Electricity and the Environment

(Continued from page 1) Synester Goulbourne, a 73- everything green.” to provide the same amount of year-old resident of Boulevard, The bulbs are guaranteed to light as a conventional bulb who had just had her bulbs last for 8,000 to 10,000 hours, using 100 watts. replaced that morning, said she which is twice as long as con - Boulevard Houses Resident was more than happy to partici - ventional light bulbs. Association President Inez pate for three reasons: “It’s And there’s one more added Rodriquez said the resident energy efficient, the bulbs last benefit. The contractors are hir - response to the program at her a year-and-a-half; and I can call ing up to 20 residents to do the development was overwhelm - NYCHA to replace the bulbs work of replacing the bulbs in 75 ingly positive, when it was intro - when they burn out.” She Brooklyn developments. If you duced at a Resident Association added, “I saw Al Gore’s movie are interested, please call: Jay meeting. “People said, ‘Come and I’ve been watching the Roemer at Public Energy Solu - out, please! We want to do this.’ Mayor. I know that we’re turning tions, toll-free at: (866) 818-1900. So, far, no complaints,” Ms. Inez said. (At the time we spoke to her, 80% of the bulbs in the development had been replaced.) “Everything worked out beautiful.” In addition to saving electricity, the program also reduces the amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, that is released into the environment. Greenhouse gases are largely believed to be responsible for global warming. The Lin - den/Boulevard project alone will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 366,000 pounds a year. NYCHA Board Member Mar - garita López is an enthusiastic WATTS UP? Boulevard Houses Resident Synester Goulbourne supporter. “The Mayor has been (seated) said she was happy to participate in the new light bulb very clear about what we want to replacement program. She is shown here with Board Member do with regard to saving the Margarita López who is a strong supporter of all things green. planet,” said Ms. López. “When the Mayor put out his plan to reduce greenhouse gases, as part of PlaNYC, that was the single Visit NYCHA’s Website at: most incredible thing he’s done. nyc.gov/nycha It’s up to us to support him. It’s up # to us to make this planet safe.” THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 8 AUGUST 2007 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL AUGUST 2007 9 THE HOUSING AUTHORITY JOURNAL 10 AUGUST 2007